Agrostis stolonifera

creeping bentgrass

Europe, western and northern Asia, parts of northern Africa; moist meadows, coastal areas, and disturbed soils; naturalized in temperate North America

SunFull Sun

WaterModerate to high

HardinessZones 3a–9b

Overview

Agrostis stolonifera is a cool-season perennial turf grass forming dense mat-like turf through a creeping growth habit. The species produces numerous above-ground stolons that spread horizontally and root at the nodes to form new plants and a thick carpet-like lawn surface. Leaf blades are narrow — typically 2–4 mm (0.08–0.16 inch) wide — with bright to medium green color, a smooth surface, and a boat-shaped leaf tip. The inflorescence is an open pyramidal panicle 4–20 cm (1.5–8 inches) long carrying tiny purplish to bronze spikelets that mature to a tan or straw color; individual spikelets are 2–3 mm long and each contains a single floret. An extensive fibrous root system combined with the stoloniferous spread suits the species to dense uniform turf surfaces that tolerate heavy foot traffic and frequent low mowing. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9. Heat tolerance is lower than for warm-season turf grasses, and additional summer watering is required in hot inland climates.

Native Range

Agrostis stolonifera is native to Europe, western and northern Asia, and parts of northern Africa, occurring in moist meadows, coastal areas, and disturbed soils throughout temperate Eurasia from the British Isles east to Siberia and south to the Mediterranean basin. The species has naturalized widely in North America and is sometimes classified as weedy in lawns and pastures where it invades bunch-type turf.

Suggested Uses

Planted on golf course greens, tees, and fairways where the tolerance for close mowing and the mat-forming habit produce a uniform putting surface, on high-grade lawns where a low-mow cool-season turf is wanted, on athletic fields requiring a dense traffic-tolerant turf, and as an overseed component in cool-season renovation projects. The species performs reliably in coastal areas and in regions with cool moist summers; in hot-summer inland gardens, supplemental irrigation is required throughout the summer months to maintain the turf.

How to Identify

Identified by above-ground stolons that spread horizontally across the soil surface and root at regular nodes to form a dense mat-forming turf. Narrow 2–4 mm (0.08–0.16 inch) wide leaf blades with smooth surface and boat-shaped leaf tip separate the species from broader-leaved turf grasses. Open pyramidal seed panicles 4–20 cm long carry tiny purplish to bronze spikelets. Separated from Agrostis capillaris (colonial bentgrass) by the more aggressive stoloniferous spread (long above-ground stolons in A. stolonifera versus short rhizomes and a more upright habit in A. capillaris) and by the more mat-like prostrate growth.

Appearance

Bloom Information

Flowers in late spring to early summer, producing open pyramidal panicles 4–20 cm long carrying tiny purplish to bronze spikelets that mature to a tan or straw color. In turf applications, regular mowing prevents flowering; in naturalized plantings, inflorescences mature from June through July.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Purplish to bronze maturing to tan or straw color; tiny spikelets in open pyramidal panicles 4–20 cm long

Foliage Description

Bright to medium green; narrow 2–4 mm (0.08–0.16 inch) wide; smooth surface; boat-shaped leaf tip

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Soil pH

6.0-7.5

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Moderate to high

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

6-8 weeks for establishment

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in soil with pH 6.0–7.5. The species requires consistent moisture and performs poorly under drought; regular watering during dry periods and establishment supports turf density. Balanced fertilizer applied 3–4 times per growing season supports vigorous growth and maintains dark green color. Frequent light watering suits the species better than deep infrequent irrigation. Heat tolerance is lower than for warm-season turf grasses, so additional summer water is needed in hot inland climates to prevent thinning. Overseeding of thin areas in fall or early spring maintains density. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9.

Pruning

Mow regularly at 0.25–0.75 inches (0.6–1.9 cm) for golf-green applications or 0.5–1.5 inches (1.3–3.8 cm) for home lawn use. Frequent mowing every 2–3 days during active growth supports dense turf and prevents the grass from becoming stemmy. Remove no more than one-third of the blade length in a single mowing. During heat or drought stress, raise the cutting height to support recovery. Avoid scalping, which damages the crown and reduces spread via stolons.

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Wild Grasses