Plant DetailShow Menu

Lolium perenne is often confused with:
Lolium multiflorum Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Lolium multiflorum Form
Poa pratensis Form in October in Aukland, New Zealand
Poa trivialis Form in bloom
Lolium perenne has some common insect problems:
Wireworms in Turf
Green June Beetles in Turfgrass
Lolium perenne has some common disease problems:
Gray Snow Mold in Turf

Lolium perenne

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
LOW-lee-um per-EN-ay
Description

Perennial Ryegrass is a cool season turf grass with a bunch-like form. It is more often grown in a mixture with Kentucky Bluegrass. It is often used for winter overseeding on sites where high quality and winter color are needed. It does not often survive the onset of warm weather in spring and early summer. It is also a good turfgrass for overseeding bermudagrass, particularly when a wearable surface is needed on athletic fields during the winter or early spring.

Perennial Ryegrass has shallow roots and glossy green leaf blades. It is quick to germinate and provides good coverage and traffic tolerance. However, it is non-spreading habit and can become tufted. Because it does not spread, reseeding must be done to cover bare spots. 

For more information, please refer to the NC State Extension TurfFiles entry for Perennial Ryegrass.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#cool season grass#turfgrass#perennial grass#weedy#bunching
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#cool season grass#turfgrass#perennial grass#weedy#bunching
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lolium
    Species:
    perenne
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, Asia, Africa
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 3 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 3 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Turfgrass
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    Does not flower.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Foot Traffic