Family
Poaceae
Botanical Name
Stenotaphrum secundatum 'Bitterblue'
Plant Common Name
Softleaf Buffalo Grass, St. Augustine Grass
General Description
Saint Augustine grass is an evergreen herbaceous perennial native to tropical America, but naturalized throughout the tropics and sub-tropics. Flattened, above-ground, running stems or stolons root at their nodes to form dense mats of relatively broad grassy leaves. The yellow-green to blue-green leaves are folded upon emergence. Flowers are typical of grasses, held on short spikes among the leaves in summer and fall. However, most cultivars used for lawns do not produce fertile flowers or viable seed and must be propagated and planted from sod, plugs or stolons. The cultivar ‘Bitterblue’ was one of the first named selections of Saint Augustine grass. It has an improved, finer texture and darker color than wild types of Saint Augustine, and is also among the hardiest cultivars.
Planted for turf, St. Augustine grass prefers well-drained, moist soil, full sun, and warm humid conditions. It accepts more shade than most turfgrasses, requiring 6 to 8 hours of full sun per day. Moderately drought tolerant, it needs irrigation in drier climates. It has good wear tolerance and excellent salt tolerance.
Mowing is the key to success with a Saint Augustine lawn. Because of their broad leaves, most cultivars require high mowing to maintain enough leaf blade to promote strong growth and shade out weeds. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer as determined by a soil test or local research. This cultivar is susceptible to a number of pest problems including chinch bugs, caterpillars, gray leaf spot disease and take-all root rot.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 9
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 11
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Grass
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
3"-6" / 7.6cm - 15.2cm
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
Southeastern United States, South-Central United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Western Africa
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Pollution, Salt, Soil Compaction
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant
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Habit
Mat-forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Green, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Lawns and Turf
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Self-Sowing
No
