In addition to the normal appearance of the low-maintenance lawn you must be willing to increase your tolerance level to weeds and pests. Also, during those periods when temperatures are high and rainfall is minimal you must be able to tolerate a lawn which goes into summer dormancy. It may be best to stay off the lawn during this period to avoid injuring the grass. Occasional overseeding of areas damaged by pests or other factors may be necessary since the types of grasses grown in a low-maintenance lawn do not spread like the bluegrasses. The fine fescues, which include the Chewings fescues, creeping red fescues and the hard fescues, are the grass type most commonly used in a low-maintenance lawn.
Tall fescues are another type which can be considered.
In addition they tolerate shade as well as full-sun sites. If the site is wet, the fine fescues will not perform well. Choose a mixture which contains at least 65 percent fine fescues. Be sure that you have a blend of at least three improved varieties. The rest of the mixture can be made up of bluegrass and perennial ryegrass.