Buffalograss ( Bouteloua dactyloides ) is a tender - time of year , repeated shortgrass aboriginal to North America ’s Great Plains , from Canada to Mexico . A keystone of prairie ecosystems , it spreads via stolon , forming a low , dense sod ( 3–12 inch unmowed ) with o.k. to rough-cut blades ( 1–3.5 mm ) . It ’s prized for drouth permissiveness and scurvy maintenance , thriving in Zones 4–10 .

Its gray - commons to blue - immature foliage speculate adaptation to arid climates , turn tan in dormancy below 50 ° F . Naturally dioecious ( male / female plants ) , it variegate in ploidy ( diploid to hexaploid ) , influencing vigor and seed product . Hardy to -20 ° F , it prefers full Dominicus and conflict in nicety , get to it ideal for open landscapes .

Buffalograss grows best in spring to summer ( 60 ° F–95 ° F ) on well - drained , clay - rich ground ( pH 6.0–7.5 ) . Seeded at 4–8 lbs/1,000 sq ft or implant via sod / male plug , it spreads 12–45 cm / year , establishing in 6–24 months with 1 inch H2O each week ab initio . Once ripe , it live on on 12–25 inches rainfall p.a. , call for minimal guardianship .

Uses scope from miserable - input lawns and golf game rough to rangeland pasturage ( 3–6 lashings DM / Akka ) and wearing dominance . Mow at 0.5–4 column inch look on role ; it involve 1–2 lbs nitrogen/1,000 sq ft yearly and resists pesterer , though weeds challenge untested stand . Its slow growth reduces pout but delays full insurance coverage .

Ecologically sustainable , buffalograss support biodiversity and keep up body of water , tolerate heat up to 110 ° F and alkali soils . Its scant stature and toughness wooing xeriscaping , though cold above 6,500 ft and shade confine its range . From rustic pastures to manicure turf , it ’s a resilient , various grass .

Varieties of Buffalo Grass

Texoka Buffalograss

Texoka , free in 1974 by the USDA from Oklahoma and Texas ecotypes , has average - coarse blades ( 2–3 millimeter wide ) , a gray - green colouring material , and a vigorous offset spread ( 15–45 cm / year ) . Reaching 6–12 inches unmowed , it ’s diploid - tetraploid mixed , hardy to Zone 5 ( -20 ° F ) . It thrives in full sun on clay - loam soils ( pH 6.0–7.5 ) , lay down in 1–2 seasons from seed ( 5–8 lbs/1,000 sq ft ) . Mow at 2–4 inch for forage ( yielding 3–5 tons DM / Akka ) or 1–3 inches for turf ; it require 12–20 inches one-year rain and 50–100 lbs nitrogen / acre . Drought and cold-blooded - kind , it ’s used for rangeland and low - input lawn but has temperate weed resistance .

Sharp ’s Improved Buffalograss

Sharp ’s Improved , a 1980s Kansas selection , sport medium blades ( 2–2.5 mm ) , a blue - unripe hue , and a dense , sod - forming riding habit ( 6–10 column inch unmowed ) . A tetraploid , it ’s dauntless to Zone 5 , growing in full sunshine on wide-ranging dirt ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) . Seeded at 4–6 lbs/1,000 sq ft , it spreads 12–36 atomic number 96 / year , maturing in 1–2 seasons . Mow at 1.5–3 inches ; its finer grain courtship lawns over Texoka , needing 0.5–1 column inch water weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen/1,000 sq ft yearly . It tolerates drouth and alkali but struggles in shade or heavy traffic .

609 Buffalograss

609 , a vegetive tetraploid from Nebraska ( 1990s ) , has all right blade ( 1.5–2 mm ) , a colored green colour , and a tight , scummy outgrowth ( 4–8 inches unmowed ) . Hardy to Zone 6 ( -10 ° F ) , it surpass in full Sunday on clay soils ( pH 6.0–6.5 ) , propagate 15–30 cm / class from plugs or superoxide dismutase . Mow at 1–2 in for premium sward ; it need 1 inch water supply weekly during establishment and 1–2 lbs nitrogen/1,000 sq ft annually . Drought - kind with secure denseness , it ’s ideal for lawns but suffers winterkill below 5,500 ft tiptop and lacks spectre allowance .

Prairie Buffalograss

Prairie , a Texas A&M vegetative cultivar ( 1990s ) , boasts fine blades ( 1–1.5 mm ) , a vivacious green chromaticity , and a dense , carpeting - like form ( 4–6 inch unmowed ) . A hexaploid , it ’s suited to Zones 7–9 ( 0 ° F–20 ° F ) , fly high in full Sunday on heavy soils ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) . set via ballyhoo ( 12–18 inch centers ) , it spreads 15–45 cm / year , maturing in 6–12 months . Mow at 0.5–2 in ; it take 0.5–1 inch water weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen/1,000 sq ft yearly . drouth and high temperature - tolerant , it ’s a top lawn choice but cold - sensitive above 6,000 ft .

Legacy Buffalograss

Legacy , a Nebraska vegetative tetraploid ( 1998 ) , has fine blades ( 1–2 mm ) , a gloomy blue - green gloss , and a lush , unvarying growing ( 4–8 in unmowed ) . Hardy to Zone 5 , it grow in full sun to light tint ( 6–8 hours sun ) on clay - loam ( pH 6.0–6.5 ) , diffuse 15–30 curium / yr from sod . Mow at 1–2 inches ; it needs 0.5–1 inch water weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen/1,000 sq ft annually . Cold and drouth - tolerant , it resists weeds well , making it ideal for eminent - quality lawns across elevations below 6,500 foot .

Sundancer Buffalograss

Sundancer , a turf - eccentric hexaploid ( 2013 , USDA ) , features fine blades ( 1.5–2 mm ) , a mysterious green color , and a dense , rapid - disseminate drug abuse ( 20–45 cm / yr ) . Hardy to Zone 5 , it thrives in full Lord’s Day on clay soils ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) , found in 6–12 months from seed ( 4–5 lbs/1,000 sq ft ) . Mow at 1–2.5 column inch ; it ask 1 inch water weekly ab initio and 1–2 lbs nitrogen/1,000 sq ft each year . quicker to give than most , it ’s drought and wear thin - tolerant , perfect for lawns , parks , and golf rough , though tincture specify it .

Cody Buffalograss

Cody , a seeded tetraploid from Nebraska ( 1990s ) , has medium - fine blades ( 2–2.5 mm ) , a medium - unripened chromaticity , and a vigorous counterpane ( 15–36 atomic number 96 / class ) . Hardy to Zone 5 , it spring up in full sun on wide-ranging soil ( pH 6.0–7.5 ) , maturing in 1–2 seasons from seed ( 5–7 lbs/1,000 sq ft ) . Mow at 1–3 inches ; it needs 0.5–1 inch water weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen/1,000 sq ft annually . Drought and stale - liberal , it ’s used for lawns and renewal but has moderate grass competition and slower sprouting ( 14–21 days ) .

Bowie Buffalograss

Bowie , a Kansas seeded cultivar ( 2000s ) , features medium blades ( 2–3 mm ) , a gray - light-green colour , and a dense , sod - forming drug abuse ( 6–10 inches unmowed ) . Hardy to Zone 5 , it surpass in full sun on remains or loam ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) , spreading 15–30 centimetre / year from seminal fluid ( 5–6 lbs/1,000 sq ft ) . Mow at 1.5–3 inches ; it needs 1 column inch water system weekly during growing and 1–2 lbs nitrogen/1,000 sq ft yearly . drouth - broad with undecomposed turf density , it beseem low - maintenance lawn and erosion control , though establishment get 1–2 time of year .

Prestige Buffalograss

Prestige , a vegetal hexaploid ( 2000s ) , has very fine blade ( 1–1.5 mm ) , a coloured green colour , and a soft , slow growth ( 4–6 inch unmowed ) . Hardy to Zone 6 , it flourish in full Sunday on clay territory ( pH 6.0–6.5 ) , scatter 15–45 cm / yr from stopper . Mow at 0.5–2 inch ; it needs 0.5–1 inch water weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen/1,000 sq ft annually . inhuman and drought - broad , it ’s a premium lawn grass with excellent weed opposition , though it ’s costlier and shade - illiberal .

Turffalo Buffalograss

Turffalo , a vegetative tetraploid ( 2000s ) , tout fine blades ( 1.5–2 mm ) , a blue - green hue , and a soaked , low profile ( 4–8 inches unmowed ) . Hardy to Zone 5 , it grows in full sun on heavy soils ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) , spreading 15–30 atomic number 96 / class from greensward . Mow at 1–2 inches ; it require 0.5–1 inch water weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen/1,000 sq ft yearly . Drought and cold - tolerant , it ’s ideal for durable , attractive lawns , withstand weeds well but requiring full sun and struggle above 6,500 ft .

Stampede Buffalograss

Stampede , a vegetational tetraploid ( 1990s ) , has fine blades ( 1–2 mm ) , a average - unripe color , and a very scurvy growth ( 3–4 inches unmowed ) . Hardy to Zone 6 , it thrives in full Dominicus on clay - loam ( pH 6.0–6.5 ) , spread 12–30 cm / year from plugs . Mow at 0.5–1.5 in ; it take 0.5–1 inch water weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen/1,000 sq ft annually . Drought - tolerant with a manicured looking at , it ’s gross for minimal - mow lawn but lack shade tolerance and insensate hardiness above 6,000 foot .

UC Verde Buffalograss

UC Verde , a California vegetative cultivar ( 2000s ) , features fine blades ( 1–1.5 mm ) , a lustrous dark-green color , and a dense , scurvy riding habit ( 4–6 inches unmowed ) . Hardy to Zone 7 ( 0 ° F ) , it excels in red-hot , desiccated climates ( full Lord’s Day , pH 6.0–7.5 ) , diffuse 15–45 atomic number 96 / class from plug . Mow at 0.5–2 inches ; it needs 0.5–1 inch water weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen/1,000 sq ft yearly . high temperature and drought - tolerant , it ’s ideal for xeriscaping and lawns in Zones 7–10 , though cold limits its northern cooking stove .

Bison Buffalograss

Bison , a seed tetraploid ( 1990s ) , has intermediate - coarse blades ( 2–3 mm ) , a gray - green hue , and a vigorous spread ( 15–36 cm / year ) . Hardy to Zone 5 , it grows in full sunlight on varied soil ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) , maturing in 1–2 season from seed ( 5–7 lbs/1,000 sq ft ) . Mow at 1–3 inches ; it needs 1 in water weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen/1,000 sq ft annually . Drought and cold - liberal , it ’s used for lawns and forage ( 4–6 tons DM / acre ) , though weed challenger and slow germination are drawbacks .

Comanche Buffalograss

Comanche , a forage - type diploid - tetraploid mix ( 1980s ) , boast coarse blade ( 2.5–3.5 mm ) , a promiscuous immature color , and a tall , undetermined habit ( 8–12 inches unmowed ) . Hardy to Zone 5 , it thrives in full Lord’s Day on clay ground ( pH 6.0–7.5 ) , spread 15–45 cm / year from seed ( 5–8 lbs/1,000 sq ft ) . Mow or graze at 3–6 column inch ; it yields 4–6 tons DM / acre with 50–100 lbs nitrogen / Akko . Drought - tolerant , it ’s become to rangeland but less impenetrable for turf , with moderate weed resistance .

Topgun Buffalograss

Topgun , a seed tetraploid ( 2000s ) , has medium - fine blades ( 2–2.5 mm ) , a medium - gullible hue , and a dense , spread strain ( 6–10 inch unmowed ) . Hardy to Zone 5 , it develop in full sunlight on loam or stiff ( pH 6.0–7.0 ) , spreading 15–36 cm / yr from seed ( 5–6 lbs/1,000 sq ft ) . Mow at 1–3 inches ; it need 1 column inch body of water weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen/1,000 sq ft yearly . Drought and wear - kind , it ’s great for lawns and reclamation , though establishment takes 1–2 seasons .

Density Buffalograss

Density , a vegetative hexaploid ( 1990s ) , sport very fine blade ( 1–1.5 mm ) , a morose gullible color , and an radical - dense , down development ( 4–6 inches unmowed ) . Hardy to Zone 6 , it excels in full sun on clay soils ( pH 6.0–6.5 ) , spread 15–45 curium / twelvemonth from sod . Mow at 0.5–2 inches ; it needs 0.5–1 inch water weekly and 1–2 lbs nitrogen/1,000 sq ft annually . drouth - tolerant with top sess impedance , it ’s a opulence lawn smoke but costly and refinement - intolerant .