Perennial Ryegrass
Variety Comparisons
Turfgrass Quality
|
| Scientific Name |
Lolium perenne |
| Seeds/LB. |
225,000 |
| Seeding Rate |
8 lbs./1,000 sq. ft. |
| Heat Tolerance |
poor |
| Cold Tolerance |
moderate |
| Mowing Height |
high |
| Nitrogen Requirement |
high |
| Drought Tolerance |
moderate |
| Shade Tolerance |
poor |
| Wear Tolerance |
good |
| Establishment Rate |
very fast |
| Growth Habit |
bunch type |
| Adaptation |
cool season sun |
Perennial Ryegrass is thought to be one of the first cultivated grasses. It is sometimes referred to as English ryegrass (as opposed to Italian or annual ryegrass).
Perennial ryegrass is easily distinguished by it leaves which have a shiny underside, with parallel veins running the length of the leaf.
Adaptation
Perennial ryegrass is generally considered to be a short-lived perennial. It can persist indefinitely, however, if not subjected to extremes in high or low temperature. Typically, perennial ryegrass persists under cold winter conditions where it is protected by consistent snow cover.
Use
Perennial ryegrass has two primary uses. In the cool season zone it is frequently used to compliment Kentucky bluegrass in sunny lawn mixes. With very fast germination, it should never be more than 20% of the seed mixture by weight to avoid crowding out the slower germinating bluegrass plants. For athletic fields, a 3-way blend of 100% perennial ryegrass such as SS9000 (see price list for details) is sometimes recommended. Perennial ryegrass is also recommended regionally for use on home lawns west of the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. Go to Ask the Expert and click on Cooperative Extension to find if perennial ryegrass is recommended in your area.
In the south, perennial ryegrass is the primary overseeding grass. Seeded in late August and early September is remains green until late spring, when it dies as the underlying bermudagrass breaks dormancy.
