St. Augustine grass is a robust, fast growing grass that prefers shady areas. The 'Bitter Blue' variety has a special blue tint on the broad leaves. This grass requires heavy maintenance in both watering and feeding. It is also quite susceptible to cinch bugs, and low mowing will create thatch problems. This grass is also slow to recover from wear and tear.
Dichondra is the quintessential ornamental lawn.
Not a grass at all, Dichondra is actually a low-growing, round leaf plant that resembles a field of clover. Dichondra requires little to no mowing, but has high feeding and water needs. Weeding is also a chore, as even the smallest weed will disrupt the uniform pattern of the lawn. This type of lawn prefers shade, but requires a lot of heat for maximum growth. Dichondra is a delicate plant and will not tolerate random games of touch football or even fetch with the dog.