Got Shade? Consider Palmetto St. Augustine

When is comes to grasses, no matter which type, the fact is they all need sunlight; some more than others. But as much as homeowners have affinities for lawns, they also have a love for trees. The trick is getting these two (grass and trees) to co-exist in the same space. It can certainly prove to be a tricky issue. People often search high and low for a good “shade grass.” If they live in the southern part of the United States, Palmetto St. Augustine, an old stand-by, could be the answer to their lack-of-sunlight issues.

When it comes to warm-season varieties, St. Augustine grasses in general are well known for shade tolerance. Palmetto is at the top of that class. Brought to market in 1994, Palmetto is a proven variety with excellent resistance to cold and frost. But while it performs well in full sun, Palmetto St. Augustine thrives in shaded areas where other grasses fail. It requires approximately 3-4 hours of direct sunlight per day. Instead of having to mulch or pine straw around the base of trees, Palmetto makes grass a viable option. To see how other grasses’ shade tolerance stacks up against Palmetto, click on the shade scale diagram below.

The main thing to remember is there is no such thing as a perfect turfgrass. Planting and then watering any grass in the shade will make conditions ripe for fungus. Regular fungicide treatments will be needed to prevent outbreaks. That will be the case for any grass grown in low-sunlight locations.