Sun and water, the two most important ingredients for a healthy lawn, are abundant in Hollywood, Florida, so the best grass types for your lawn are warm-season turfs.
Warm-season grasses thrive in a climate like Hollywood’s, where the low temperature usually stays above 60 degrees and where the city gets almost twice the national average of rain per year.
The other big factor in choosing grass types is knowing how you plan to use your lawn. If it’s for personal enjoyment, you won’t need a turf that can withstand a lot of traffic. If, however, you plan to host garden parties, a grass type that will withstand lots of foot traffic will be a better choice.
Oh, and something else to consider is how thirsty your grass will be, because despite Hollywood’s higher-than-normal rainfall, water restrictions within the city will be a factor in your lawn care.
Here are the four best grass types for Hollywood lawns:
1. Bermudagrass
A common choice for lawns in warmer climates, bermudagrass thrives in the heat. It also has a high salt tolerance, useful for lawns that are close to the beach.
Classification: Warm-season grass
Spreads by: Above-ground stolons, underground rhizomes, and seed.
Shade tolerance: Below average. Continual shade will stunt its growth.
Drought tolerance: Very high. Though it may go dormant without rainfall, watering Bermudagrass will allow it to grow again.
Foot traffic tolerance: Above average. It will spring back from most traffic without a problem, which explains why Bermudagrass often is used for sports fields.
Maintenance needs: Drainage is essential, as too much water will kill off Bermudagrass. It also is sensitive to disease and pest infestation.
Recommended mowing height: Mow to 1 inch.
2. Zoysiagrass
Zoysia’s dense, stiff grass can make for a beautiful, even lawn if maintained properly.
Classification: Warm-season grass.
Spreads by: Both above-ground stolons and underground rhizomes.
Shade tolerance: High. Heat is more important than total sun coverage for Zoysia to grow.
Drought tolerance: Variable. Zoysia will quickly turn brown and go dormant in times of drought, but continual watering will make it lush and verdant.
Foot traffic tolerance: Very high. Zoysia is tough, and it takes a lot of wear for it to show any damage.
Maintenance needs: It needs about 1 inch of water per week. Zoysia grass also is prone to thatch buildup, which can be reduced by periodic core aeration.
Recommended mowing height: Mow weekly to 1-2 inches to get the best results.
3. Centipedegrass
Centipedegrass is short, light green, and grows well in nutrient-poor soils. It has a medium texture and grows slower than other grasses.
Classification: Warm-season grass.
Spreads by: Above-ground stolons
Shade tolerance: Average. It can survive periods of partial shade, but it needs full sunlight for the best possible growth.
Drought tolerance: High. It survives periods of drought well, and is more likely to succumb to overwatering than the opposite.
Foot traffic tolerance: Low. Walking too much on centipedegrass can cause dead patches on the lawn.
Maintenance needs: Centipedegrass needs less maintenance than many other varieties. It needs less fertilizer to stay alive, but too much salt can kill it.
Recommended mowing height: Mow to 1.5 to 2.5 inches. It grows slowly, so less mowing will be needed.
4. St. Augustine grass
This warm-season grass is dense, blue-green in color, and grows more quickly than many other varieties.
Classification: Warm-season grass.
Spreads by: Above-ground stolons.
Shade tolerance: Above average. The grass will continue to grow in partial shade.
Drought tolerance: Extremely high. Even in times of drought, St. Augustine grass will stay green with minimal watering.
Foot traffic tolerance: Average. It tolerates wear better than centipedegrass, but it will be damaged by excessive traffic.
Maintenance needs: The fast-growing nature of St. Augustine grass means that it can easily spread into nearby flower beds. It also needs good drainage to avoid overwatering.
Recommended mowing height: Mow to 2 to 4 inches.
Beaches and palm trees are the first images that come to mind for Southern Florida, but plush, well-maintained lawns are a part of nearly every travel video segment about Hollywood. By picking one of the best grass types for Hollywood and one best suited for how you plan to use your yard, you are on your way to a picture-perfect lawn.
Now that you know the best grass types for Boynton Beach, you may find useful our Seasonal Guide to Lawn Care and Maintenance.
And if you want experts to keep your Hollywood yard green, reach out to one of our Florida lawn care professionals.
Main image credit: Anniversary Park, in Hollywood, Florida / Tamanoeconomico / CC BY-SA
