Perennial ryegrass sprouts faster than Kentucky bluegrass and is often mixed with it to provide quick cover until the Kentucky bluegrass establishes itself. Scotts' Picture Premium Grass Mixture combines the improved varieties Abbey and Viva Kentucky bluegrass with Divine perennial ryegrass. Two other endophytic perennial ryegrasses are Stallion Select and Stallion Supreme, available in the Triple Play blend from Fine Lawn Research. These and many other improved perennial ryegrass varieties have a darker green color and greater disease resistance than older varieties. And like most of the new breed, their leaf blades don't fray and brown after mowing.
Fine fescues are the cool-season choice for shaded areas.
They tolerate less light than Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, and require less mowing and fertilizer. And because they grow in the same regions and are compatible with Kentucky bluegrass, they're often combined with it. Improved varieties include Aurora, Brigade, Discovery Banner II and Flyer. A new species is Poa supina. Its low growth means less frequent mowing.