Turfgrass Cultivar Recommendations for Certified Sod and Professional Seed Mixtures in Maryland

Last updated on 02/26/2008 at 19:09.

Agronomy Mimeo 77 Revised May, 1999

During the last decade, numerous new turfgrass cultivars have been introduced to the Maryland market. However, many cultivars, although adapted to environmental conditions that occur in other regions of the country, do not adapt to the difficult environmental conditions that occur in the transition zone, which includes Maryland and Virginia. Thus, the University of Maryland, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, and the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) headquartered at Beltsville, MD conduct extensive cultivar trials to identify which cultivars will perform well in this region.

The cultivar data obtained at various locations in Maryland and Virginia are reviewed annually in a joint meeting of university researchers, an NTEP researcher, and of representatives of the departments of agriculture of both states. Use of recommended cultivars usually results in a turfgrass stand of higher quality and density, greater stress tolerance, lower nutrient requirements, less water usage, fewer pest problems and thus reduced pesticide use.

There has been extensive interest in recent years regarding turfgrass species which have reduced nutrient requirements, especially nitrogen. The two recommended turfgrasses with the lowest nitrogen requirements are the fine fescues and zoysiagrass. Turf-type tall fescue has intermediate requirements, whereas Kentucky bluegrass and bermudagrass generally have the highest nitrogen requirements. However, research has identified some Kentucky bluegrass cultivars that provide fair quality under reduced nitrogen fertility and other maintenance inputs.

The following lists of recommended cultivars represent those that have been performing well in trials in both states over a period of at least several years. Cultivars listed in italics are considered promising but have only been tested in Maryland or Virginia for 2 years, or may be difficult to find due to limited seed availability. Cultivars followed by a numerical following reasons:

  • Cultivar 1 - may be removed from the list due to declining field performance relative to other cultivars
  • Cultivar 2 — may be removed from the list due to declining seed quality
  • Cultivar 3 — may be removed from the list due to non-availability of certified seed
  • Cultivar 4 - may be removed from the list due to the lack of current testing data relative to other cultivars. The cultivar will be removed from the list if it is not included in the next available cultivar trial.

CERTIFIED SOD RECOMMENDATIONS

The Maryland certified sod program is administered by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Rather than naming individual cultivars, many specifications require that certified sod of a particular turfgrass species be used. Specifying certified sod guarantees that the sod will contain cultivars that are currently recommended by researchers in Maryland and Virginia, will have been seeded in recommended percentages, and will be of high quality (free of insects, weeds, and diseases). Thus, the need for constantly updated specifications to reflect improvements in cultivars is greatly minimized. Listed below are the recommendations for Kentucky bluegrass, turf-type tall fescue, bermudagrass, and zoysiagrass sod.

ZOYSIAGRASS SOD

Only six cultivars are currently recommended in Maryland for certified sod production due to potential winter hardiness problems of other cultivars.

  • Belair Meyer
  • Cavalier Omni
  • Marquis Sunburst

BERMUDAGRASS SOD

Only six cultivars are currently suggested for use in Maryland for certified sod production due to potential winter hardiness problems of other cultivars.

  • Midfield Quickstand
  • Midiron Tufcote
  • Midlawn Vamont

KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS SOD

A minimum of 3 Kentucky bluegrass cultivars must be chosen, with each cultivar ranging from a minimum of 10% to a maximum of 35% of the mixture’s weight. At least 65% of the mixture must be from cultivars listed in Category I. No more than 35% of the mixture may be comprised of promising cultivars.

  • Category I. Recommended Kentucky Bluegrass Cultivars (65 - 100% of the mixture).
    • Abbey1
    • Absolute
    • Allure
    • Alpine4
    • America
    • Apollo
    • Arcadia
    • Ascot
    • Aspen4
    • Award
    • Baron1
    • Blacksburg
    • Blackstone
    • Bluechip
    • Brilliant
    • Caliber
    • Cannon4
    • Champagne
    • Chateau3
    • Chicago
    • Classic1
    • Compact
    • Conni
    • Coventry
    • Eagleton4
    • Eclipse
    • Explorer
    • Fairfax4
    • Freedom4
    • Georgetown4
    • Glade
    • Gnome4
    • Haga
    • Impact
    • Jefferson
    • Julia4
    • Kelly4
    • Liberator
    • Liberty4
    • Limousine
    • Livingston
    • Lofts 1757~
    • Marquis
    • Merit4
    • Midnight
    • Monopoly4
    • Moonlight
    • Nottingham4
    • Nuglade
    • N USTAR1
    • Odyssey
    • Opti-Green4
    • Platini
    • Preakness4
    • Princeton 104~~
    • Princeton 105
    • Quantum Leap
    • Rambo
    • Raven1
    • Rugby II
    • Serene
    • Shamrock1
    • Showcase
    • SR 2000
    • Total Eclipse
    • Touchdown4
    • Unique
    • Viva4
    • Washington4
  • Category II. Special Use Kentucky bluegrass cultivars (0-35% of the mixture).
    • For shade tolerance
      • America
      • Ascot
      • Brilliant
      • Champagne
      • Chateau3
      • Compact
      • Coventry
      • Liberator
      • Moonlight
      • Nuglade
      • Princeton 105
      • Quantum Leap
      • Showcase 5R2000
      • Unique
    • For low maintenance tolerance
      • Haga
      • Livingston
      • Merit
      • Midnight
      • Monopoly
      • N USTAR
      • Washington

TURF-TYPE TALL FESCUE SOD

The following turf-type tall fescue cultivars may be seeded individually or in blends.

  • Apache II
  • Arid 3
  • Avanti
  • Bandana
  • Barlexus
  • Bonanza
  • Bonanza II
  • Bonsai 2000
  • Bravo
  • Chieftain II
  • Coyote
  • Crossfire2
  • Crossfire 112
  • Debutante
  • Duke
  • Duster
  • Eldorado
  • Empress
  • Falcon II
  • Finelawn 88
  • Finelawn Petite
  • Gazelle
  • Genesis
  • Grande
  • Guardian
  • Heritage
  • Houndog 5
  • Jaguar 3
  • Lancer
  • Marksman3
  • Masterpiece
  • Micro DD
  • Millennium
  • Minimustang
  • Montauk
  • Mustang II
  • Olympic II
  • Palisades
  • Pixie
  • Pixie E+
  • Plantation
  • Pyramid
  • Rebel Jr
  • Rebel
  • Sentry
  • Rebel 3D
  • Rebel Ill
  • Regiment
  • Rembrandt
  • Renegade
  • Resetve
  • Safari
  • Shenandoah
  • Shenandoah II
  • Southern Choice
  • SR 8200
  • SR 8210
  • SR 8300
  • Starlet
  • Stetson
  • Sun Pro
  • Tarheel
  • Titan 2
  • Tomahawk
  • Trailblazer II
  • Tulsa
  • Virtue
  • Wildcat
  • Baron
  • Caliber
  • Eagleton
  • Freedom

The following Kentucky bluegrass cultivars may be mixed with turf-type tall fescue to enhance sod strength during harvesting (may be up to 10% of the seed mixture by weight).

  • Fairfax
  • Freedom
  • Georgetown
  • Kelly
  • Liberty
  • Livingston
  • Lofts 1757
  • Marquis
  • Merit
  • Monopoly
  • Nassau
  • Preakness
  • Ram 12
  • Rugby
  • Shamrock
  • Sophia 5R2000
  • Suffolk
  • Unique
  • Viva
  • Voyager
  • Washington
  • Allure
  • Baron
  • Caliber
  • Cannon
  • Chateau
  • Cheri
  • Classic
  • Columbia
  • Dawn
  • Eagleton
  • Eclipse

PROFESSIONAL SEED MIXTURE RECOMMENDATIONS

Many seeding specifications (for municipalities, counties, state and governmental agencies, landscape architects, and professional organizations) state that cultivars used for turfgrass establishment must be selected from this publication, Agronomy Mimeo #77. Following are the recommended seeding mixtures, and the cultivars recommended to be included in these mixtures. Specifications for state highway seeding, while using information provided in this publication, are developed separately and may require some species and/or cultivars not normally recommended for uses other than roadside seeding.

Recommended Species for Seeding Blends and Mixtures

Full Sun High Maintenance Turf - For use in full sun areas that will receive irrigation and intensive management. Perennial ryegrass may be added where rapid establishment is necessary for erosion control. Kentucky bluegrass (85-100%) and perennial ryegrass (0-15%) -- A minimum of 3 bluegrass cultivars should be selected, with each ranging from a minimum of 10% to a maximum of 35% of the mixture by weight No more than 15% of a perennial ryegrass cultivar should be used as it will predominate if seeded at a higher percentage.

Full Sun to Moderate Shade Turf -- For seeding locations that have both full sun and shady sites. Two different types of seed mixtures may be selected for these sites. Tall fescue turf will tolerate a wider range of management inputs. Kentucky bluegrass - fine fescue turf will generally require higher maintenance for the survival of the Kentucky bluegrass in the sun, but reduced maintenance inputs are recommended for the maximum survival of the creeping red fescue in the shade.

Turf-type tail fescue (100%) -- A single cultivar or a blend of turf-type tall fescue cultivars may be used.

OR

Kentucky bluegrass (80-90%) and creeping red fescue (10-20%) -- A minimum of 3 bluegrass cultivars should be selected, ranging from a minimum of 10% to a maximum of 35% of the mixture by weight. One creeping red fescue cultivar should be selected. More than 20% creeping red fescue may cause a dominance of this species during establishment.

Low management and/or Shade Turf -- For use on sites that will receive minimal management (no irrigation, low fertility) and/or if the site has partial to full shade.

Fine fescue (100%) -- One of the recommended fine fescues may be selected. Neither blending cultivars nor mixing of fine fescue species have been studied extensively in MD or VA for compatibility. Limited research does not indicate any advantage to either. The fine fescues include hard fescue (H), chewings fescue (C), creeping red fescue (CR), and sheeps fescue(S). Creeping red fescue and slender creeping fescue should be considered only for shady sites and not for sunny, low maintenance sites.

Recommended Cultivars for Seeding Mixture

The recommended cultivars for the species listed in the aforementioned seed blends and mixtures are listed below.

  • Kentucky Bluegrass - Same as the cultivars recommended for certified sod production.
  • Tall Fescue - Same as the cultivars recommended for certified sod production.
  • Perennial Ryegrass
  • Accent
  • Achiever
  • Affinity4
  • ASP400
  • Assure
  • Blazer Ill
  • Brightstar3
  • Brightstar II
  • Buccaneer*
  • Caddy Shack
  • Calypso II
  • Catalina
  • Competitor4
  • Cutter
  • Derby Supreme
  • Divine
  • Edge
  • Elf
  • Esquire
  • Head Start
  • Imagine
  • Laredo
  • Majesty
  • Manhattan 3
  • Manhattan ll
  • Monterey
  • Morning Star
  • Omega 3
  • Palmer ll
  • Palmer Ill
  • Panther
  • Passport
  • Pennant II
  • Pinnacle4
  • Precision
  • Prelude ll
  • Prelude Ill
  • Premier II
  • Prizm
  • Quickstad
  • R.2
  • Repell lI
  • Riviera4
  • Saturn II
  • Secretariat
  • Seville4
  • Sherwood4
  • Sonata
  • 5R4010
  • SR 4200
  • 5R4400
  • Top Gun
  • Top Hat
  • Wind Star
  • Yorktown lll
  • Fine Fescue
    • Aurora (H)
    • Banner 11(C)
    • Bighorn (S-H)
    • Bridgeport (C)
    • Brigade (H)
    • Brittany (C)
    • Discovery (H)
    • Ecostar (H)
    • Flyer II (CR)
    • Jamestown 11(C)
    • K-2 (C)
    • MX 86 (S)
    • Nordic (H)
    • Osprey (H)
    • Pamela (H)
    • Quatro (5)
    • Reliant 11(H)
    • Sandpiper (C)
    • Scaldis (H)
    • Shademaster II (CR)
    • Shadow 11(C)
    • Spartan (H)
    • SR 3100~ (H)
    • SF5100 (C)
    • Tiffany (C)
    • Treazure (C)
    • Victory (C)

    H = hard fescue
    S = sheep fescue
    C = chewings fescue
    CR = creeping red fescue

Prepared by: Dr. Thomas R. Turner, Turfgrass Specialist, Department of Agronomy Mr. Gregory Goudeau, Research Assistant, Department of Agronomy