Types of Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass is a dense, fast-growing grass ideal for high-traffic areas, such as lawns, athletic fields, golf courses and parks. Resistant to drought, Bermuda grass is a warm-season grass suited for Southern climates. Avoid planting the grass in shady spots and in climates where the temperature dips below 50 degrees, because it will go dormant and turn brown. Bermuda is known as a creeping grass because the stems grow sideways. The two types of Bermuda grass are common and hybrid.

Common Bermuda Grass

Common Bermuda grass is very aggressive and may overrun gardens and walkways, according to “The Lawn Bible” by David R. Mellor. Compared to hybrid varieties, common bermuda grass is medium maintenance and tolerates low mowing from 1 to 1 1/2 inches high. Plant common Bermuda grass by spreading seed in the early summer.

Hybrid Bermuda Grass

Hybrids require a bit more care than common types and must be propagated from sprigs and plugs, according to “Lawns and Ground Covers” by James Underwood Crockett. Hybrid varieties include Ormond, which has blue-green blades; Santa Ana, a dark green grass suited for southern California smog; Sunturf, which is more cold-resistant than other hybrids; Tifdwarf, with miniature leaves that require less frequent mowing; Tifway, a dark green grass that keeps its color into the fall and is resistant to pests and disease; and Tifgreen, a dark green variety that tolerates partial shade. Mow hybrid Bermuda grass 3/4 inch high and water deeply and infrequently.

Cold-Tolerant Hybrids

Four hybrid Bermuda grass types tolerant cold weather: Mohawk, La Prima, Yukon and PrimaXD. These types will go dormant in cold weather but will not die, according to Turf Connection.com. Mohawk is a low-growing grass, La Prima seeds can be directly planted without having to propagate from seeds and plugs, Yukon has a fine texture suitable for golf courses and Prima XD is a hybrid mix between Yukon and Paloma, a warm-season grass.