When dealing with turfgrasses, the cultivars in the seed or sod are also important. But what often happens in advertisements is the actual species and cultivars are not listed. For example, zoysiagrass is frequently promoted in magazines or catalogs as very heat and drought tolerant, and creating a vigorous lawn. This is true, but zoysiagrass is actually adapted for southern locations and will be dormant for much of the season in northern Illinois. Another grass advertised as needing little care, little water, and not growing fast is buffalograss.
Quality is also very low for home lawn use.
Like zoysiagrass, it is a warm-season grass that will be dormant for much of spring and fall. In climates such as ours with plenty of moisture, buffalograss does not compete well with weeds. Other advertisements may promote super grass hybrids or mixes that will stay green and grow very easily regardless of the situation. Once again, examine the product closely to determine exactly what species and cultivars are included. If the ad makes a lawn grass sound too good to be true, it probably is.