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Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Poa Trivialis
The ultimate shade grass—Poa trivialis thrives in deep shade with consistent moisture. Stoloniferous spreading under trees and north-facing areas. USDA Zones 2-6.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
The deep shade specialist—Poa trivialis (Rough Bluegrass) thrives in the wet, shaded conditions that eliminate every other lawn grass. It spreads via stolons (above-ground runners) to colonize shaded, moist areas where even fine fescues struggle. The tradeoff is dramatic: Poa trivialis goes dormant or dies outright in summer heat and drought, leaving bare patches that other species must fill. Use it strategically in persistently cool, moist, deeply shaded areas—not as a general-purpose lawn grass.
Category
Grass
Type
Poa Trivialis
Scientific Name
Poa trivialis (Rough Bluegrass)
Zones
2-6 (struggles in Zone 7+ heat)
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
The deep shade specialist—Poa trivialis (Rough Bluegrass) thrives in the wet, shaded conditions that eliminate every other lawn grass. It spreads via stolons (above-ground runners) to colonize shaded, moist areas where even fine fescues struggle. The tradeoff is dramatic: Poa trivialis goes dormant or dies outright in summer heat and drought, leaving bare patches that other species must fill. Use it strategically in persistently cool, moist, deeply shaded areas—not as a general-purpose lawn grass.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Identify persistently moist, shaded areas only
Step 2
Apply starter fertilizer
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Do not bury—press into surface
Step 5
Keep consistently moist (Critical)
Step 6
Mow at 2-3"; accept summer dormancy
Best For
Deeply shaded areas (2-3 hours sun or less) with consistent moisture|North-facing slopes and building shadows|Under dense tree canopies with regular irrigation|Winter overseeding of warm-season lawns|Blending into shade mixes at 5-15%|Cool, moist microclimates
FAQs
1.
Why is it popular for horses?
Poa trivialis, commonly called rough bluegrass or rough-stalked meadow grass, is a cool-season perennial grass that excels in wet, shaded conditions where other grasses fail. It spreads by stolons (above-ground runners) and tolerates shade, moisture, and cool temperatures better than Kentucky bluegrass. Poa trivialis is primarily used for overseeding shaded, moist areas in lawns and as a component in shade-tolerant turf mixes for golf courses, parks, and residential landscapes.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
Poa trivialis (rough bluegrass) spreads by stolons (surface runners), tolerates heavy shade and wet soil, has lighter green color, and goes dormant or dies in heat and drought. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) spreads by rhizomes (underground runners), prefers full sun, tolerates moderate drought, and has darker green color. Use Poa trivialis where it's too wet and too shady for Kentucky bluegrass. The two species occupy opposite niches in the same genus.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
Use Poa trivialis only in persistently moist, shaded areas—north-facing slopes, under dense tree canopy near downspouts, or in low areas that stay damp. It is not suitable for sunny, dry, or well-drained sites where it will thin and die during summer heat. Poa trivialis fills a very specific niche: the wet shade zone where Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and even fine fescues struggle. Keep it out of sunny lawn areas where it becomes a weedy, patchy nuisance.
4.
What is the seeding rate for Poa trivialis?
Seed Poa trivialis at 1-2 lbs per 1,000 sq ft for overseeding shaded areas, or 20-40 lbs per acre for larger plantings. Seed is very small—mix with dry sand for even hand-broadcasting. Plant 0.125-0.25 inches deep or press into soil surface. Best results come from fall seeding (September-October) into aerated or verticut soil in shaded areas. Poa trivialis germinates in 14-21 days at soil temperatures of 50-65°F.
5.
Does Poa trivialis go dormant in summer?
The All Purpose Mix performs in 3-8+ hours of direct sunlight. Optimal performance is at 4-6 hours. In shadier spots (3-4 hours), creeping red fescue carries the stand. In full sun (8+ hours), tall fescue tends to dominate over time. For less than 3 hours of direct sun, the Sun & Shade Mix is a better choice with its 65% fine fescue content designed specifically for heavy shade. The All Purpose is best described as a moderate-shade-tolerant blend.
6.
What fertilizer program does the All Purpose Lawn Mix need?
Apply 2-3 lbs nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually, with the white clover component providing an additional 0.5-1 lb N through biological fixation. Fall fertilization (September-October in zones 4-6) produces the best results. A simple program: 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft in September, 1 lb in late October, and optionally 0.5-1 lb in late May. Avoid heavy spring nitrogen which promotes disease and weed pressure. Slow-release or organic fertilizers complement the clover's natural fertility contribution.
7
What USDA zones does Poa trivialis grow in?
Poa trivialis performs best in USDA zones 3-6 where summers are relatively cool and moist. In zone 7 and warmer, summer heat stress is too severe for reliable performance. It is most commonly used in the Pacific Northwest, northern New England, upper Midwest, and similar cool, moist climates. In the transition zone (zones 6-7), Poa trivialis is used primarily as a winter overseeding grass on dormant warm-season turf, dying out naturally in summer.