Creeping bentgrass
Agrostis stolonifera
Scientific name: Agrostis stolonifera
Common name: Creeping bentgrass
Creeping Bentgrass is a favorite of golf putting greens in the northwest. It is a cool season grass. It arrived from western Europe in a south German bentgrass seed mix. Creeping bentgrass is recommended to be cut between 0.5 and 0.125 inches. Creeping bentgrass develops a thick thatch layer when it is improperly taken care of, so regular aeration is important. Creeping bentgrass requires between 1 and 3 lbs of nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. each year (the higher rate will result in a deeper thatch layer). Creeping bentgrass on golf courses can be watered below evapotranspiration with supplemental water as needed to maintain firm footing. It has good cold tolerance. It does alright in shade. Due to how short it is cut for golf greens, it tends to struggle with disease and will be outcompeted with annual bluegrass especially in the shade. It does not traffic well and will require reseeding and sodding often. It spreads by stolon.