Choosing the right grass for planting around tree roots can transform your garden, balancing beauty and tree health. Some grasses thrive in shade, while others help with soil stability, making the right choice essential.
The key is selecting a variety suited to your garden’s unique conditions. This guide highlights 20 of the best grass types, plus some low-maintenance picks, to help you create a healthy, thriving space beneath your trees.
1. Creeping Red Fescue
When you’re dealing with shade, you need a grass that excels. Creeping Red Fescue is known for its shade tolerance. It thrives under trees where sunlight is scarce.
Its fine blades create a dense, green carpet, making it an appealing choice for any shaded garden spot. This grass is low-maintenance and grows well in cooler climates.
Fescue is also drought-resistant, ensuring a vibrant lawn even during dry spells.
2. Kentucky Bluegrass
For a lawn that stays green and lush, consider a classic. Kentucky Bluegrass offers a rich color and dense texture. It’s well-suited for areas with partial shade.
This grass is adaptable, flourishing in both sunny and semi-shaded environments. It provides excellent ground cover around trees, reducing soil erosion.
Although it requires regular watering, the aesthetic payoff is worth the effort. It’s a favorite among traditionalists for its timeless appeal.
3. Perennial Ryegrass
For sunny areas, a fast-growing grass is essential, and Perennial Ryegrass is a top choice. It germinates quickly, filling in bare spots around trees and creating a vibrant, resilient lawn.
With its bright green blades, it adds a fresh, inviting look to any space. T
his low-maintenance grass thrives with occasional mowing, making it ideal for active families who love spending time outdoors.
4. Tall Fescue
Durability is essential when choosing grass for high-traffic areas. Tall Fescue is tough, with broad leaves and a deep green hue that complements tree roots.
This grass excels in sunny and slightly shaded areas, adapting well to a variety of soils. It’s drought-tolerant, reducing the need for frequent watering.
Tall Fescue’s robust nature makes it ideal for lawns with pets or children, providing resilience and aesthetic appeal.
5. Zoysia Grass
For a soft, cushiony lawn, Zoysia Grass is an excellent choice. Its dense, lush texture feels gentle underfoot, making it perfect for barefoot walks.
This warm-season grass thrives in sunny areas, growing slowly but steadily to create a thick carpet of green.
Once established, it’s highly drought-resistant, requiring minimal upkeep. Ideal for those who want a low-maintenance yet luxurious lawn.
6. Bermudagrass
Sun-loving varieties bring colors to your garden. Bermudagrass is a popular choice for its fine, tightly-knit blades.
It thrives in full sunlight, making it perfect for areas with minimal shade. This grass forms a dense, durable lawn that withstands heavy foot traffic.
Bermudagrass is a go-to for warm climates, offering an evergreen look that’s both practical and attractive.
7. Buffalograss
For eco-conscious gardeners, native options are worth considering. Buffalograss requires minimal water and maintenance, adapting well to different conditions.
This grass has soft, wavy blades and grows well in both sunny and semi-shaded areas, making it versatile for various garden settings.
Buffalograss offers a natural look, blending seamlessly with native plants. It’s a sustainable choice for those who prioritize environmentally friendly gardening.
8. Fine Fescue Mix
Combining different species can offer the best of several worlds. A Fine Fescue Mix includes varieties like Chewings, Creeping Red, and Hard Fescue.
This blend thrives in shaded areas, providing a fine, soft texture. It’s an excellent choice for areas with limited direct sunlight.
The mix requires little maintenance, adapting well to various soil types. Its versatility makes it a favorite for gardeners looking to fill tricky spots.
9. St. Augustine Grass
For warm climates, St. Augustine Grass is a hardy, lush option with broad, coarse blades that create a dense, vibrant lawn.
It thrives in warm, humid areas and tolerates partial shade, making it ideal for coastal gardens and southern landscapes.
With regular watering, it maintains its thick, inviting texture, perfect for families, outdoor spaces, and lively gatherings.
10. Centipede Grass
For those seeking low-maintenance solutions, look no further. Centipede Grass is known for its slow growth and minimal care requirements.
This grass is ideal for sandy soils and warmer climates, offering a light green hue that brightens any garden.
Centipede Grass is perfect for those who want a lawn that doesn’t demand constant attention, allowing more time to enjoy outdoor spaces.
11. Bahiagrass
For rural landscapes, Bahiagrass is a tough, low-maintenance choice that thrives in rustic settings.
Its coarse, resilient blades grow well in sandy, acidic soils, maintaining a rich green color even around tree roots.
Highly drought-tolerant, it’s perfect for areas with inconsistent rainfall, offering a hardy, practical lawn that requires minimal upkeep.
12. Sheep Fescue
For a unique touch, consider grasses with distinctive hues. Sheep Fescue boasts fine, blue-green blades that stand out.
This grass thrives in both full sun and partial shade, providing a soft, meadow-like appearance. It’s perfect for creating a natural look.
Sheep Fescue is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making it a practical yet distinctive choice for creative gardeners.
13. Bentgrass
When precision is key, certain grasses make the cut. Bentgrass is favored for its fine blades and even growth.
A grass that thrives in sunny areas, often used on golf courses and manicured lawns. Its low growth habit adds a refined touch.
Bentgrass requires regular maintenance but rewards with a sophisticated look. It’s ideal for those aiming for a well-groomed, meticulous lawn.
14. Carpetgrass
For moisture-rich environments, Carpetgrass is an excellent choice, thriving in wetland areas and damp soils.
Its coarse, broad blades grow evenly, creating a dense, uniform cover in partially shaded, moist conditions.
This low-maintenance grass spreads naturally, making it perfect for lush, natural landscapes that require minimal upkeep.
15. Rough Bluegrass
In damp, shaded areas, resilient options shine. Rough Bluegrass thrives under these conditions.
Its bright green leaves provide a soft, lush appearance, perfect for shaded gardens. This grass handles poor drainage areas well.
Rough Bluegrass is ideal for gardens that struggle with sunlight. It’s a practical choice for those needing a dependable, green ground cover.
16. Meadow Fescue
For meadow-like settings, certain grasses offer natural charm. Meadow Fescue brings a loose, flowing look.
This grass thrives in full sun to partial shade, providing a medium green color that enhances open spaces. It’s adaptable to various conditions.
Meadow Fescue is low-maintenance and offers a rustic touch, perfect for country-style gardens or large, natural areas.
17. Orchard Grass
In orchards, grass plays a key role in soil health. Orchard Grass is well-suited for these environments.
This grass has tall, light green blades that provide loose ground cover, ideal for orchards. It handles partial shade well.
Orchard Grass is low-maintenance and improves soil quality, making it a valuable choice for fruit producers aiming for sustainable practices.
18. Velvet Bentgrass
For a luxurious, high-end lawn, Velvet Bentgrass is a standout choice.
With its dense, fine blades and smooth texture, it thrives in sunny locations and is often found on elite golf courses.
While it requires regular maintenance, the result is a pristine, sophisticated look, perfect for those who appreciate a meticulously manicured landscape.
19. Annual Bluegrass
For quick coverage, certain grasses excel. Annual Bluegrass grows rapidly, filling gaps efficiently.
Its bright green leaves and small, delicate growth make it a charming choice for temporary coverage. It thrives in sunny to semi-shaded areas.
Annual Bluegrass is perfect for gardeners needing fast solutions. It’s a practical choice for seasonal enhancements or temporary plantings.
20. Colonial Bentgrass
Formal settings demand uniformity. Colonial Bentgrass provides dense, fine blades and a tidy look.
This grass is ideal for formal gardens, thriving in sunny to partially shaded areas. Its even growth creates a polished appearance.
Colonial Bentgrass requires regular maintenance but offers a classic charm. It’s a preferred choice for those seeking a refined, elegant lawn.
21. Japanese Sedge
For ornamental gardens, certain grasses offer unique beauty. Japanese Sedge is known for its arching blades.
This grass thrives in shaded to partially sunny areas, forming tidy clumps. It’s perfect for adding texture to ornamental gardens.
Japanese Sedge requires minimal care and provides a distinctive look, ideal for those seeking to enhance garden aesthetics with unique elements.
22. Dichondra
For a non-traditional ground cover, some plants surprise. Dichondra offers round, green leaves with a low-growing habit.
This plant thrives in sunny to partially shaded areas, creating a unique carpet-like effect. It’s an alternative to traditional grass.
Dichondra requires minimal maintenance and adds a distinct touch to any landscape. It’s perfect for those wanting something different under their trees.
23. Reed Canary Grass
Wetlands call for adaptable grasses. Reed Canary Grass is excellent for moisture-rich areas.
This grass grows tall with narrow blades, providing lush coverage. It thrives in damp conditions and handles partial shade.
Reed Canary Grass is low-maintenance and ideal for creating a natural look. It’s a practical choice for those managing large, wetland gardens.
24. Mondo Grass
For a compact, low-maintenance choice, explore unique varieties like Mondo Grass. With its dark green, tufted blades, it grows in neat clumps and thrives in shaded to semi-shaded areas.
This grass is perfect for adding structure to gardens while requiring minimal upkeep.
Its refined appearance makes it an excellent option for creating calm, well-organized outdoor spaces.
25. Tall Moor Grass
Natural reserves thrive with the right grasses, and Tall Moor Grass is a perfect choice for a wild, airy aesthetic.
With its tall, flowing blades, it flourishes in sunny to partially shaded areas, making it ideal for expansive, natural settings.
This low-maintenance grass enhances landscapes with its soft, untamed beauty, perfect for those looking to create a more organic, open feel.