• Kentucky bluegrass has a narrow, boat-shaped leaf.grass image by Brett Bouwer from Fotolia.com
  
  Kentucky bluegrass is a cool-season grass that grows well in the northern half of the United States though it is not native to this country. The grass is easily recognizable from its long, boat-shaped leaf and vigorous growth habit. According to Iowa State University, there are more than 100 cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass, with some being extremely high-maintenance. The more popular varieties grow well in full sun to light shade, and require little maintenance other than mowing once the lawn is established.
  
  

Award

• Michigan State University recommends the Award cultivar of Kentucky bluegrass for lawns and athletic fields. Over three years of testing, Award came out with the highest overall quality in terms of durability, growth, and ease of care. Plant Award in the northern states where temperatures fluctuate widely between summer heat and winter cold for best results.
  
  

Lower-Maintenance Kentucky Bluegrass

• According to Purdue University, Challenger, Banff and Midnight are three of the Kentucky bluegrass cultivars recommended for general lawn use in the Midwest. Though slow to establish, they form a dense, disease-resistant turf for medium- to low-traffic areas. Plant in full sun.
  
  

High-Traffic, Disease-Resistant Kentucky Bluegrass

• Touchdown is an extremely durable, drought and disease resistant Kentucky bluegrass. Plant it for ease of maintenance in high-traffic areas where children or pets play. Touchdown will also tolerate medium shade conditions, so try it under deciduous trees and shrubbery as well as open areas.
  
  

Heat- and Cold-Tolerant Bluegrass

• Seed your lawn with Glade Kentucky bluegrass for its high shade tolerance and rapid growth. This turf type likes the cool, northern climates. For more heat-tolerant bluegrass in states along the Mason-Dixon line, Purdue recommends Classic and Midnight.