When it comes to grasses that are better than Bermuda grass, St. Augustine and zoysia are two top contenders. While Bermuda grass has its own strengths, it falls short in terms of shade tolerance compared to these other grasses.
St. Augustine grass, known scientifically as Stenotaphrum secundatum, is a warm-season grass that thrives in areas with mild winters and hot summers. It has a lush, medium to dark green color and a coarse texture. One of the major advantages of St. Augustine grass is its shade tolerance. It can handle moderate to heavy shade, making it an excellent choice for yards with tree cover or buildings that cast shadows. In fact, St. Augustine grass can tolerate up to 50% shade, which is quite impressive for a warm-season grass.
Zoysia grass, on the other hand, offers a finer texture and a denser growth pattern compared to both Bermuda grass and St. Augustine grass. There are several varieties of zoysia grass, with some being more shade tolerant than others. For example, Emerald zoysia (Zoysia japonica ‘Emerald’) and Zeon zoysia (Zoysia japonica ‘Zeon’) are known for their shade tolerance. These varieties can handle up to 50% shade, similar to St. Augustine grass.
In my personal experience, I have found St. Augustine grass to be a reliable choice for shady areas. I have seen it thrive under trees and in yards with significant shade. Its ability to maintain good color and density in shaded conditions is impressive. Zoysia grass, particularly the shade-tolerant varieties, can also perform well in partially shaded areas, although it may require slightly more sunlight compared to St. Augustine grass.
It is important to note that no grass can thrive in complete, dense shade. Even shade-tolerant grasses like St. Augustine and zoysia will struggle in areas with very limited sunlight. In such cases, alternative landscaping options like ground covers or shade-loving plants may be more suitable.
St. Augustine and zoysia grasses are both better than Bermuda grass when it comes to shade tolerance. St. Augustine grass can handle moderate to heavy shade, while certain varieties of zoysia grass, such as Emerald and Zeon, can also tolerate up to 50% shade. These grasses offer a lush, green lawn even in shadier areas, making them excellent choices for homeowners seeking shade-tolerant options.
