Kentucky bluegrass prefers full sun, although a few cultivars have tolerance to light shade. Kentucky bluegrass is slow to establish by seed, and is also readily available as sod. Fine fescues require less maintenance and many adapt to shade. The fine fescues include red and chewings fescues, sheep fescue, and hard fescue. Maintenance levels are generally low, especially fertilizer needs, and fine fescues may decline in full sun when mowed frequently.
Fine fescues are seeded.
Perennial ryegrass offers quick establishment and good wear tolerance. Perennial ryegrass is a bunch-type grass with quality very similar to Kentucky bluegrass. Maintenance needs are moderate to high. These are the primary lawn species suggested for northern Illinois. All are cool-season grasses, growing most actively in spring and fall.