St. Augusti
ne Grass
Advantages
- Good color (dark green)
- Relatively shade tolerant
- Tolerant of high temperatures
- Tolerant of high soil salinity
- Spreads aggressively by stolons and rhizomes
Disadvantages
- Not very Drought tolerant
- Very prone to excessive thatch build up
- Prone to Insect and disease damage (chinch bug, SAD)
- Poor wear tolerance
- Cannot establish from seed
Summary
St. Augustine grass is a widely used lawn grass In the U.S. that is found from the Carolinas to Florida and westward along the Gulf Coast to Texas and in Southern and Central California. Because of its lack of winter hardiness, St. Augustine grass is restricted to areas with mild winter temperatures. Like Bermuda grass, St. Augustine thrives in high temperatures, but the growth of St. Augustine is better than that of Bermuda grass in cool, coastal climates. It tolerates a wide range in soil types, but does not withstand waterlogged or droughty sites. It is a thick bladed grass and with good maintenance can produce a thick, beautiful dark green lawn and requires full sun to moderate shade.