Characteristics of Kentucky Bluegrass Cultivars
| Type | Disease/Insect | Wear tolerance | Characteristics | Cultivars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact-Midnight* |
|
Fair | Very dark green color, Late spring green-up, Good heat tolerance Note: Most of cultivars have similar growth and performance characteristics to the cultivar Midnight. |
Arcadia, Rugby II, Award, Impact, Midnight, Total Eclipse, Liberator, Quantum Leap, Odyssey, Absolute, NuGlade, Alexa, Midnight II, Ginney, Rambo, Courtyard, Tsunami, Awesome, Freedom II, Beyond, Perfection, Chicago II, Excursion, Barrister |
| Compact-America* |
|
Fair | Bright dark green color, ½ inch cutting height, Low compact growth, Good in shade, Finer leaf, Higher density. | Showcase, Apollo, SR 2284, Brilliant, SRX 2394, Langara, America, Unique, Boutique, Bluemax, Bedazzle, Avalanche, Glenmont, Arrow, Blue Ridge, Royale, Goldstar, Mallard |
| Aggressive | Excellent | Aggressive lateral growth, High shoot density, Very wear tolerant, Quickly knitting sod and repair, Variable in other characteristics. | SRX 26351, P-104, Northstar, A-34, Mystic, Limousine | |
| Bellevue |
|
N/A | Medium growth and shoot density, Medium wide leaves, Excellent winter color, Early spring green-up, Stemmy in spring, Moderate recovery from summer. | Parade, Freedom, Bellevue, Dawn, Suffolk, Trenton, Georgetown, Banff, Classic, Haga |
| Mid-Atlantic |
|
Fair-to-Good | Deep, extensive roots and rhizomes, Vigorous turf and medium-high density, High summer stress tolerance, Early spring green-up, Good winter performance. | SR 2000, Livingston, Monopoly, Bel-21, Preakness, Plush, Eagleton, Wabash |
| CELA (Challenger, Eclipse, Liberty, Adelphi) |
|
Good | Better spring green-up than compact, Less stemmy than Bellevue, Good turf quality, Variable winter performance. | Challenger, Adelphi, Eclipse, Jefferson, Liberty |
| BVMG* (Baron, Victa, Merit, Gnome) |
|
Good | High seed yields, medium-good turf, Medium low growth, Medium wide leaves, Very stemmy in spring, Poor winter performance. | Baron, Nassau, Victa, Raven, Merit, Marquis, Gnome, BlueChip, Dragon, Fortuna, Abbey, Goldrush, BlueStar, Envicta, Baronette, Clearwater, Crest, Cannon |
| Shamrock |
|
Good | Moderate winter color, Good turf quality and sod strength, High seed yields, Less stemmy than BVMG type, Variable summer performance. | SR 2100, Shamrock, Champagne, Parkland, Atlantis |
| Cheri |
|
Fair | Good turf quality, Medium low growth, density and leaf width, Good sod strength, High seed yields, Less stemmy than BVMG, Moderate winter dormancy. | SRX QG245, Cheri, Sydsport, Cobalt, Serene |
| Julia |
|
Good | High turf quality, High density, Good summer performance, Moderate winter performance. | Julia, Caliber, Ikone, SR 27832 |
| Common (Midwest ecotypes) |
|
Poor | Erect growth and narrow leaf blades, Good summer stress tolerance, Poor winter color and performance, Early seed production, Good for soil stabilization/conservation. | Kenblue, Huntsville, Geary, Newport, S-21, Park, Piedmont, Alene, Greenley, Ginger, Garfield, South Dakota Cert |
| Other | N/A | Cultivars intermediate between two types and with less information know about (unclassified). | Cynthia, Fairfax, Pp H7832, Freedom II, many additional cultivars not listed |
* Cultivars within their types showed high genetic similarities (Curley, J. and G. Jung. 2004. RAPD-based genetic relationships in Kentucky bluegrass: comparison of cultivars, interspecific hybrids, and plant introductions. Crop Science 44: 1299-1306). Genetic clustering was highest in Midnight > BVMG > America.
Note: information presented here with permission from Dr. Leah Brilman (Seed Research of Oregon).
--
Submitted by: Dr. Scott Ebdon & Dr. Geunhwa Jung
