A lush green lawn is a thing of beauty, but it can be difficult to maintain that vibrant color through the cold winter months. Many warm-season grasses like Bermudagrass go dormant and turn brown when the weather cools off. However, some varieties of grass can retain their verdant green hue even when Old Man Winter comes knocking. Read on to learn about the best grasses that stay green in winter.
Perennial Ryegrass
Perennial ryegrass is one of the most popular cool-season grasses for overseeding warm-season lawns. Its fine-bladed foliage provides a graceful texture. This grass germinates quickly, so it can establish a green cover before the first frost.
Perennial ryegrass tolerates cold better than most other grasses It can survive temperatures as low as -15°F when fully hardened off The grass may discolor and go semi-dormant during prolonged freezing weather but will bounce back to a bright green when temperatures rise again,
In the transitional climates of the southern U.S. perennial ryegrass makes an excellent winter lawn. It fills in when Bermudagrass and other warm-season grasses go dormant. The ryegrass dies out when summer returns allowing the permanent grass to regain its territory.
Kentucky Bluegrass
Kentucky bluegrass is another cool-season favorite for winter green color. This fine-bladed grass forms a lush, carpet-like lawn. It has a rich blue-green hue that pops even in the muted winter light.
Kentucky bluegrass does best in cool, humid climates but can survive winters throughout USDA hardiness zones 3-7. It tolerates cold better than heat and drought. The grass may discolor but will remain alive during temperatures as low as -20°F.
Kentucky bluegrass needs ample moisture and fertility to retain its winter greenness. Apply fertilizer in early fall so the grass can store up nutrients. Water deeply before the ground freezes. The extensive root system can continue to absorb moisture from the soil through winter.
Tall Fescue
Tall fescue is a bunch-forming cool-season grass with wide blades and a deep root system. This rugged grass stays greener than Kentucky bluegrass or ryegrass through winter dormancy. Its rich green color can brighten up winter lawns throughout the cool, humid regions of the U.S.
The exact cold hardiness of tall fescue depends on the variety. Most are hardy to Zone 4 or 5 but some cultivars can survive Zone 3 winters. The foliage may suffer cold damage during severe freezes but recovers quickly when temperatures warm up.
Like other cool-season grasses, tall fescue needs pre-winter fertilization and adequate moisture to keep its color during winter. Select deep-rooted varieties suited to your climate zone for the best winter performance.
Creeping Red Fescue
Creeping red fescue is a fine-textured cool-season grass. It forms a lush emerald green lawn. This grass tolerates shade and requires less fertility than many other lawn grasses. It maintains its color in winter better than Kentucky bluegrass.
Red fescue withstands cold temperatures ranging from -5°F to as low as -30°F, depending on the variety. It may discolor and go dormant in icy conditions but retains more green than other grasses. The foliage resists disease and recovers well from winter damage.
While not as hardy as tall fescue, creeping red fescue holds its green color well throughout winter in cool climates. Give it a boost going into winter by fertilizing in fall. Select cold-tolerant varieties best suited for your climate.
Fine Fescues
Other fine fescues like hard fescue and sheep fescue are also excellent choices for staying green in winter. Fine fescues have slender leaves that form a lush turf. They excel at retaining color through the coldest months.
Hard fescue withstands freezing temperatures down to -20°F in some varieties. Sheep fescue tolerates temperatures as low as -30°F when hardened off for winter dormancy. Both bounce back quickly after harsh weather.
Fine fescues grow best in cool, shady sites with adequate moisture. They don’t require much fertility. Prepare them for winter by fertilizing lightly in early fall and watering well before the ground freezes.
Zoysia Grass
Zoysia is a warm-season grass, but some varieties also stay green through winter. Zoysia tolerates cold better than other warm-season grasses like Bermudagrass and centipedegrass. It retains more green color than Bermudagrass during its winter dormancy.
The exact cold tolerance depends on the variety. Some zoysias can survive freezing winter temps as low as 0°F when fully dormant. They may suffer foliage damage after harsh freezes but send up new shoots in spring.
To maximize winter greening, select one of the more cold-hardy zoysia cultivars. Make sure it’s well established going into winter. Continue mowing until the grass goes dormant and provide a last fertilizer feeding in fall.
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses provide year-round interest with their graceful forms and foliage that turns golden in fall but remains upright through winter. These perennials come back bigger and better every spring. Here are some of the best ornamental grasses for staying green in winter:
-
Maiden grass – Giant silvery plumes tower over green foliage all winter.
-
Moor grass – Olive-green blades persist through winter to early spring.
-
Feather reed grass – Narrow green leaves keep color even in freezing weather.
-
Ravenna grass – Blue-tinted foliage stands out against winter snow.
-
Northern sea oats – Graceful green blades provide movement and texture.
Keep ornamental grasses well watered going into winter. Cut back any dead foliage in late winter before new growth appears. Fertilize in early spring to replenish nutrients.
Tips for the Greenest Winter Lawn
To encourage grass to retain its green color through winter:
-
Select cold-hardy grass varieties suitable for your climate. Cool-season grasses stay greener.
-
Prepare the lawn for winter in early fall. Fertilize to strengthen roots and deepen color.
-
Water thoroughly before the ground freezes to supply moisture to grass roots.
-
Raise your mower height going into winter. Taller grass retains more green.
-
Apply lime if needed to balance soil pH for optimum nutrient availability.
-
Improve drainage in areas where water pools. Standing water leads to winterkill.
-
Overseed warm-season lawns with ryegrass for instant greening.
With proper cultivar selection and care, you can enjoy a lush green lawn that survives Old Man Winter’s chilling embrace. The right grasses will keep their color even during dormancy and put out new growth at the first sign of spring.
The Secret to a Deep Green Winter Lawn (In 5 Minutes)
FAQ
What grass stays green during the winter?
What grass doesn’t turn brown in winter?
Is it possible to keep grass green in the winter?
Which ornamental grass survives winter?
What kind of grass should I grow in the winter?
Cool-season grasses like Fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and Perennial Ryegrass need lower temperatures to grow to their full potential and won’t die when exposed to bitter winter weather. Conversely, you need warm-season grass like Zoysia, St. Augustine grass, or Buffalo grass if you live in the south.
Does grass Go Brown in winter?
Warm-season grasses will likely go brown and dormant during the winter. If you’re looking for grass that will stay green during the winter, consider planting cool-season grass as soon as fall comes around. Anything we’ve mentioned above will thrive when the temperatures drop. What grass lasts all year?
Can grass grow in winter?
Naturally, some grasses can go brown and dormant when it’s cold outside. If you’re looking for grass that grows in the winter, you’re not out of luck. Many cool-season grasses can be seeded during the winter — here’s what you need to know about them and which are the most winter-hardy types. Can you grow grass over winter?
Does grass stay green all year?
Additionally, cold and warm season grass blends help maintain a green lawn year-round in locations with extreme weather fluctuations. The most important element to having grass that stays green all year is making sure to plant the right grass in the right location.