St. Augustine grass is a popular warm-season grass known for its lush green color and broad leaves. It thrives in warmer climates, making it a top choice for lawns in the southern United States and coastal regions. Whether you are looking to beautify your lawn or simply need to choose the best grass for your area, understanding the different types of St. Augustine grass is essential.
Here, we’ll take a look at 15 types of St. Augustine grass, their characteristics, uses, and the benefits they offer.
Common Types of St. Augustine Grass
Floratam
Floratam, introduced in 1973 through a collaboration between the University of Florida and Texas A&M University, is a widely favored St. Augustine grass variety. It features dark green, wide leaves with a coarse texture, giving it a lush and attractive appearance.
This variety is highly resistant to the St. Augustine Decline (SAD) virus and chinch bugs, ensuring durability in sunny environments. Floratam grows vigorously, resists weeds naturally, and requires minimal maintenance, although it performs best in full sun and struggles in shaded areas.
Captiva
Released in 2007 by the University of Florida, Captiva is a dwarf St. Augustine grass with a fine texture and compact growth habit. Its slow growth rate reduces mowing frequency, making it an excellent choice for homeowners who desire a low-maintenance lawn.
Captiva is also resistant to southern chinch bugs, which are common pests in warm climates. It thrives in both sunny and partially shaded areas, creating a dense, uniform lawn that is visually appealing and easy to manage.
Palmetto
Palmetto, developed in the mid-1990s, is a semi-dwarf variety of St. Augustine grass known for its adaptability and luxurious appearance. It has a soft, plush texture and vibrant green color that remains vibrant longer than many other warm-season grasses.
This grass is particularly noted for its excellent shade tolerance, making it ideal for areas with limited sunlight. Palmetto also produces less thatch, reducing the need for frequent maintenance, and is widely used in both residential and commercial landscapes.
Raleigh
Developed in the 1980s in North Carolina, Raleigh is a cold-hardy St. Augustine grass designed to thrive in cooler climates. It has medium green leaves with a coarse texture and is resistant to many common lawn diseases.
Raleigh performs well in full sun and can tolerate light shade, making it flexible for different landscapes. It is a preferred choice for the northern edges of St. Augustine grass’s range, where it endures lower temperatures while maintaining its density and vibrant color.
Seville
Seville, introduced in the 1980s, is a dwarf variety of St. Augustine grass valued for its fine texture and blue-green color. It is highly adaptable, thriving in both sunny and shaded environments, and is particularly suited to coastal areas due to its excellent salt and drought tolerance.
This grass has a compact growth habit that minimizes the need for frequent mowing. Once established, Seville requires minimal maintenance, offering a dense, vibrant lawn with a refined appearance.
Bitterblue
Bitterblue, developed in the 1930s, is a classic St. Augustine grass variety with exceptional shade tolerance. It has a finer texture and a deep blue-green color, creating a lush and sophisticated lawn.
This grass is ideal for shady areas or lawns with limited sunlight and performs well in warm climates. While Bitterblue requires consistent care to maintain its appearance, its unique color and adaptability make it a timeless favorite for residential landscapes.
Mercedes
Mercedes, developed by the University of Florida in the 1980s, is a St. Augustine grass variety recognized for its shade and wear tolerance. Its ability to recover quickly from traffic damage makes it an excellent option for areas with moderate foot traffic.
This grass thrives in partially shaded environments while maintaining its resilience against wear. Mercedes is a practical choice for active lawns, as its high recovery rate ensures a consistently healthy and attractive appearance.
Sapphire
Sapphire, released in 2004 in Australia, is distinguished by its dark blue-green leaves and rapid lateral growth. This unique characteristic allows it to recover quickly, making it highly suitable for high-traffic areas.
Although it is prone to fungal issues, its ability to fill bare spots swiftly ensures a full and dense lawn. Sapphire is an ideal choice for homeowners seeking a visually appealing and robust grass for busy outdoor spaces.
Classic
Classic, introduced by Woerner Turf in the early 2000s, offers superior cold tolerance compared to many other St. Augustine varieties. This grass can thrive in cooler regions, extending the range of St. Augustine’s usability.
It is well-suited for lawns in areas with colder winters, providing a lush and vibrant appearance even under challenging climatic conditions. Classic’s cold tolerance makes it a reliable option for northern landscapes.
ProVista
ProVista, a modern variety derived from Floratam, is specifically designed to simplify weed control. Its glyphosate tolerance allows broad-spectrum herbicides to be used without damaging the grass, making it a convenient solution for weed management.
This grass is widely used in residential and commercial landscapes where maintaining a pristine lawn with minimal effort is a priority. ProVista’s innovation in weed resistance offers both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Sir Walter
Sir Walter, developed in Australia and released in 1996, is celebrated for its ability to adapt to diverse conditions. It handles heat, drought, shade, and varying soil types with ease, making it a versatile choice for lawns.
With a soft texture and lush green appearance, Sir Walter is low-maintenance once established. Its durability and water efficiency make it ideal for family lawns and areas with water conservation needs.
Texas Common
Texas Common, a naturally occurring variety, represents the traditional form of St. Augustine grass. It features a coarse texture with medium to dark green coloring and is most similar to the wild type of the species.
Historically used in Texas for lawns and pastures, it remains adaptable to various soil types, especially sandy ones. While its use has declined due to disease susceptibility, it is still found in older landscapes or areas with minimal SAD virus presence.
Variegatum
Variegatum is a unique ornamental form of St. Augustine grass, notable for its striking white-striped leaves. Unlike typical lawn varieties, it is primarily used for decorative purposes in gardens.
Its creeping habit and evergreen foliage make it an excellent ground cover for borders, container gardens, or accent plantings. Variegatum adds visual interest and elegance to any landscape design.
Floratine
Floratine, developed by the University of Florida in 1959, is a fine-textured St. Augustine grass with a rich, dark green color. Its superior cold tolerance makes it suitable for regions with slightly cooler climates.
Often used for residential lawns and commercial landscapes, Floratine provides a neat and uniform appearance. Its fine texture and low growth habit reduce maintenance needs, making it an attractive choice for manicured lawns.
Factors to Consider When Choosing St. Augustine Grass
When selecting St. Augustine grass, it’s important to consider the climate and temperature conditions, as this type of grass thrives in tropical and subtropical regions. Additionally, maintenance requirements such as watering, mowing, and fertilizing should be taken into account to ensure optimal growth. The grass’s ability to tolerate shade and resist pests and diseases is also crucial for its long-term health. Finally, the quality of the soil and the overall vigor of the grass will influence its success in your lawn, so be sure to assess soil conditions before making a choice.
Conclusion
Choosing the right type of St. Augustine grass depends on your specific needs, climate, and maintenance preferences. From shade-tolerant varieties like Bitterblue and Palmetto to high-traffic grasses like Sapphire and Mercedes, there’s a St. Augustine grass variety for every lawn. Consider the characteristics and benefits of each type to make an informed decision and enjoy a beautiful, healthy lawn year-round.
