Because of its durability and exceptional appearance, Kentucky bluegrass is often used in establishing athletic fields. Perennial Ryegrass Perennial ryegrass, like Kentucky bluegrass, is a fine-textured species with the potential to develop into a high quality lawn. Perennial ryegrass has rapid seed germination and seedling establishment qualities. This species has a bunch-type growth habit, which enables it to form density through tillering. The cold tolerance and disease resistance capabilities are less than for Kentucky bluegrass but are acceptable for most areas of Ohio.
All perennial ryegrasses require well-drained soils of medium to high fertility.
The maintenance, fertility and pH requirements are similar to the improved Kentucky bluegrasses. Perennial ryegrass has better drought tolerance than Kentucky bluegrass but normally requires irrigation to maintain quality during most Ohio summers. In recent years many improved perennial ryegrasses have been commercialized. These improved cultivars have greater cold tolerance, better density, darker color and better disease resistance than the older, common ryegrass selections. These new releases also have substantially better mowing qualities than the common types.