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Perennial ryegrass typically does well in sunny locations but can struggle in high heat and drought conditions.

In addition, perennial ryegrass may also not be as cold-tolerant as other cool-season species.

hand with grass seed

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Sometimes called Italian ryegrass, annual ryegrass is light-green and relatively coarse.

As an annual, annual ryegrass dies out at the end of each growing season and does not regrow.

Perennial ryegrass will grow back on its own, but the seed is more expensive.

Perennial ryegrass

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But fine fescue has some downsides.

Also, the grass can be temperamental in high heat and may go heat-dormant.

Red Fescue

Redfescue grassrapidly establishes due to its extensive rhizome system.

Annual ryegrass

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This tough matting makes red fescue ideal for places like slopes or banks, where erosion control is needed.

Some considerred fescue grassweed-like due to its aggressive rhizome system, and it may even colonize adjoining plant areas.

It’s also popular in the transition zone where cool and warm-season climate zones meet.

Fine fescue with bluish hue in lawn.

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Unfortunately, turf-throw in tall fescue doesn’t recuperate well.

This overall slender shape has a rough sheath.

A fast-growing grass, rough bluegrass is sometimes a contaminant when mixed with other seeds.

Blades of grass, red fescue or creeping red fescue grass (Festuca rubra), Freiamt, Black Forest, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany

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As the aggressor, it is a fierce competitor against more desirabletypes of grassseeds.

For this reason, rough bluegrass is best grown on its own.

Grow rough bluegrass when you need a dense, tough turf practically impervious to weeds.

Tall fescue grasses in sunlight with small rhizomes on top of blades

The Spruce / K. Dave

That’s because Bermuda grass thrives inUSDA Hardiness Zonesbetween 6 and 9.

“This makes regular edging important to keep it under control.”

It does need frequent fertilization to help it look fresh and healthy.

Bluegrass

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

In most areas, buffalo grass seed should be sown from April to September.

Closeup showing Bermuda grass' short, dense growth habit.

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Blades of buffalo grass

The Spruce / Adrienne Legault