Perennial ryegrass care

Lolium perenne is probably the most misunderstood grass in the cool-season world. It germinates faster than any other lawn grass, looks great for two or three seasons, and then creates real problems if it dominates a stand meant to be primarily Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue. Used correctly --.

Lolium perenne is probably the most misunderstood grass in the cool-season world. It germinates faster than any other lawn grass, looks great for two or three seasons, and then creates real problems if it dominates a stand meant to be primarily Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue. Used correctly — as a companion in seed mixes, an overseeding grass for warm-season lawns, or a standalone grass in maritime climates — it performs well. Used incorrectly, it competes with slower-establishing species and forms a lawn that's fragile in heat.

Species background

Lolium perenne is native to Europe and North Africa. Per Penn State Center for Turfgrass Science, it has been improved substantially since the 1980s — modern turf-type perennial ryegrass has finer texture, improved heat tolerance, and endophyte infection that provides natural insect resistance. Older varieties were coarse and poorly adapted to lawn use.

Do not confuse with annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), which is used for temporary winter overseeding and cover crops but dies with summer heat. They look similar but are managed very differently.