The Grass Doctor

What is the best type of grass seed for full shade areas?

Public Comments

1. Depends where you live. I have added some links for you to investigate. Hope that helps 0:-) All of the turfgrasses that are grown in Florida require full sun except centipedegrass and several varieties of St. Augustinegrass: Seville, Bitterblue, Jade, and Delmar. Seville, Jade, and Delmar have a semi-dwarf growth habit while Bitterblue has a normal growth habit. However, neither will take dense shade. Maintaining as high of a mowing height as possible will encourage turf growth in moderate shade. In densely shady areas, planting a shade loving ground cover or mulching, instead of turfgrass, is recommend
2. I like rhye grass it's hard wearing too.
3. highest fiscue you can get in precentage its a hearty grass and grows out and up so its a great find for shade
4. There is no such creature for lawns. Zoysia can tolerate partial shade but grass, by its nature, likes full sun. Don't try to get something to grow in an area it is not suited for. Your best bet is to use that full shade for a shade garden. Moss is pretty and NEVER needs mowing! There are many plants that have pretty flowers or wonderful foliage that love shady areas, including ground orchids, goldenseal, ferns, hostas & hellebores. Japanese maples, gardenias and camellias like partial shade. Find a Master Gardener and/or your local university extension agent in your town and go to them for free, friendly help. You can also visit hgic.clemson.edu for a list of plants for shade. Click on the top link for Landscape, Garden & Indoor plants, then click on Other Landscape & Garden Topics than scroll down to the Landscape column for info sheet #1716 and print it out. Also, www.plantdelights.com has some great plants for shade and their catalog is absolutely hilarious.