Choosing the Inappropriate Bermuda Grass Variety: A Common Mistake Among Homeowners (and Strategies for Making a Wiser Selection)
Bermuda grass is a popular choice for homeowners in warm climates due to its resilience and ability to thrive in various conditions. This guide covers 15 different types of Bermuda grass, including seeded and hybrid varieties, to help you make an informed decision for your lawn.
Seeded Bermuda Grass
Seeded Bermuda grass is more affordable to establish as it grows from seed and can reproduce naturally. However, it tends to have a coarser texture and requires more maintenance, such as frequent overseeding or replacement over time.
Some popular seeded Bermuda grass varieties include:
- Hancock’s Highlander: A budget-friendly option that can tolerate moderate use and is suitable for homeowners seeking a cost-effective lawn.
- Princess 77: Delivers exceptional heat tolerance and maintains good color retention during stress periods, making it ideal for southern climates with intense summer heat.
- Sahara: Exhibits excellent cold and frost tolerance as well as early spring green-up, making it ideal for northern regions.
Hybrid Bermuda Grass
Hybrid Bermuda grass cannot produce viable seed and must be established through sod, plugs, or sprigs. This method is more expensive and labor-intensive initially, but it results in a denser, more wear-resistant turf with superior overall quality.
Popular hybrid Bermuda grass varieties include:
- Tifgreen 328: Offers extremely fine texture and dense growth, requiring more maintenance but delivering unmatched aesthetic appeal.
- TifSport: Provides exceptional injury recovery and wear tolerance, bouncing back quickly from damage and maintaining playability under stress.
- Tifway 419: The gold standard for hybrid Bermuda grass, handling heavy traffic while maintaining excellent color and texture.
- TifTuf: Ranked #1 in turf quality among major commercially-available bermudagrass cultivars and uses up to 38% less water than other Bermuda varieties while maintaining superior quality.
Comparing Seeded and Hybrid Bermuda Grass
| Aspect | Seeded Bermuda Grass | Hybrid Bermuda Grass | |---------------------|---------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Establishment | Direct seeding possible, lower cost, often coated seed aids germination[1][3] | Requires sprigs/plugs, higher initial cost and effort; no seed available for many cultivars[3] | | Maintenance | Typically less intensive initially but may have patchy coverage and weed problems requiring overseeding or herbicides[3] | Higher maintenance (mowing, irrigation, fertilization) but turf is denser and more wear-tolerant[3] | | Long-term Costs | Lower upfront cost but potentially higher due to overseeding, weed control, and shorter lifespan[3] | Higher upfront cost but generally lower long-term expenses due to durability and persistence[3] | | Turf Quality & Wear Resistance | Moderate quality, less dense, more weed prone, shorter life span | Superior turf quality, dense mat, excellent recovery and wear tolerance[1][3] |
Choosing the Right Bermuda Grass
For homeowners in warm climates seeking a budget-friendly lawn that can be established by seed and tolerate moderate use, seeded Bermuda cultivars can be a practical choice. For those willing to invest more upfront for a higher quality, durable lawn especially for heavy traffic or sports, hybrid Bermuda established by sprigs or plugs is often preferred despite more maintenance and initial cost.
In cold/transition zones, consider Latitude 36, NorthBridge, or Sahara for cold hardiness and extended growing seasons. For drought-prone areas, TifTuf, Mohawk, or GN-1 are recommended for water efficiency and stress tolerance.
Remember, choosing the wrong type of Bermuda grass can cost three times more in water, fertilizer, and replacement costs than selecting the right variety upfront. So, take your time to research and choose the Bermuda grass that best suits your needs and budget.
[1] University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. (2018). Bermudagrasses for California Landscapes. Retrieved from https://ucanr.edu/sites/Bermudagrass/
[3] Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. (2018). Bermudagrasses for Texas Lawns. Retrieved from https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/horticulture/lawns/bermudagrasses-for-texas-lawns/
- To maintain a health-and-wellness lifestyle, homeowners may prioritize seeded Bermuda grass like Hancock’s Highlander for its cost-effectiveness, while also considering the need for more frequent maintenance such as frequent overseeding or replacement over time.
- For those seeking a fitness-and-exercise area in their home-and-garden that can handle heavy traffic, choosing a hybrid Bermuda grass like Tifway 419, known as the gold standard, would be ideal due to its superior wear tolerance and ability to maintain excellent color and texture.
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