The 12 species best adapted to Nebraska and some of the recommended cultivars are described below. Kentucky bluegrass is the most widely used turfgrass species in Nebraska. It forms a dense, medium-textured high quality turf when grown in open sunlight. Cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass are quite variable in texture, color, shoot density, growth habit, disease resistance, adaptation, and cultural requirements. It is this variability that most likely has led to the widespread acceptance and use of Kentucky bluegrass as a turfgrass species.
Kentucky bluegrass is adapted to a wide climatic region which includes arid states like Nebraska.
In Nebraska it requires supplemental irrigation. Periods of drought and high temperature substantially reduce shoot density and growth. The above-ground tissues stop growth and turn brown during these stress periods. A properly hardened Kentucky bluegrass turf can survive drought by initiating new growth from crown tissues and nodes located on rhizomes when growing conditions become favorable. If the crown or nodes dehydrate, the stand will be severely thinned.