Rough meadow grass (Poa trivialis) is a cool-season creeping turfgrass that thrives in the shadiest, wettest corners of your lawn where other grasses struggle. Hardy from zones 3 to 7, this shallow-rooted species spreads by stolons alone and forms a softer, looser sod than Kentucky bluegrass, making it the go-to choice for moist, shaded ground where foot traffic is light. It reaches just 3 inches at maturity and prefers partial shade with moderate, consistent moisture, making it invaluable in shade grass seed mixtures.
Partial Shade
Moderate
3-7
3in H x 3in W
—
High
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Rough meadow grass excels where sunlight barely penetrates and soil stays perpetually damp, conditions that would defeat most turfgrasses. Its creeping habit via stolons creates a soft, fine texture underfoot, though it demands mowing to 1.5 to 2 inches in spring and fall (slightly higher in summer heat) to stay orderly. Unlike deeper-rooted relatives, it remains shallow and looser, trading durability under heavy use for exceptional performance in cool, moist, shaded environments.
Rough meadow grass serves as a component of shade grass seed mixtures, where it fills in the difficult transitional zones beneath trees and in north-facing areas that receive only dappled light. It stabilizes banks and slopes in cool, wet climates where conventional turf cannot establish.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Mow regularly to a height of 1.5 to 2.0 inches during spring and fall, and slightly higher during hot summer months to reduce stress on the plant.
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