Contractors in the four major Southwest desert regions—the Great Basin, Chihuahuan, Mojave and Sonoran—face the mind-boggling task of inclining growth where the average annual rainfall is three inches and summer temperatures reach 110 degrees. When it comes to turfgrasses, contractors say they see their projects succeed because they carefully examine the many aspects of grass selection.

“When these aspects are considered, turfgrass becomes the most cost-efficient means of dealing with areas that require a landscape application,” says Dan Jewett, co-owner of Mark Logan Landscape, a leading contractor specializing in commercial, custom residential and golf course installations in La Quinta, Calif. “I can’t emphasize enough that turfgrass is the least expensive product to install and maintain. I’ve had many conversations with design professionals who question this statement, but I completely stand by it.”

Making a Match

Tifdwarf creates beautiful and high-performing greens at Tom Fazio's The Quarry La Quinta, La Quinta, Calif, is one of the nation's elite courses.

Since turfgrasses are not native to the desert, the selection is fairly limited, but by no means uninspired. The palette includes the all-around great-performing bermudas that are widely used for almost every application, the low-maintenance zoysias and shade tolerant St. Augustine. Paspalum, specifically seashore paspalum, which tolerates reclaimed water and high PH soils, may also be a good choice in many of the same applications as the bermudas.

Of the bermudas, contractors say they prefer Tifgreen 328, Tifway 419 and Tifdwarf for their deep root systems that ensure drought tolerance. A new bermuda called Bull’s-Eye is also gaining ground in the desert. This bermuda exhibits a darker green color than the other bermudas, displays a dense, leafy upright growth habit and has improved shade tolerance. It was introduced in 1999 by West Coast Turf, a sod grower and installer based in Palm Desert specializing in grasses for the arid southwest.

Although the bermudas are a tough act to follow, the zoysias and St. Augustine grasses definitely play an important role in the desert. West Coast Turf offers a variety of zoysia called De Anza that has the blue-green color of bluegrass and requires less maintenance than other types of warm-season grasses. A variety of St. Augustine called Palmetto, is perhaps one of the most shade tolerant of all the warm-season turf grasses and has an extended growing season, according to West Coast. The trick, of course, is to know how to choose between these selections.

“Probably the most common mistake we see is a bad match between a certain variety and the application,” says Russ Hayworth, sales representative for West Coast Turf in Arizona.

The bottom line? Do your homework to assure that a grass under consideration has cultural requirements that match the project’s available irrigation, soil conditions and sunlight. Other considerations include the intended use of the grass areas, such as for heavy sports, golf, or as a playground, whether or not there will be pets, etc. Shade, salt tolerance and intended maintenance levels are also issues.

“As a sod farm, we’ve made available to our customers very detailed specification sheets on each of our grasses,” says Hayworth. “These tech sheets offer several pieces of information, including an overview of the grass to distinguish it from others, uses, specific features and benefits, options available, such as big-rolls and sand grown, and even an at-a-glance section that highlights the main attributes. This is a great place to start when doing research on a grass. From there, contractors can consult with us and, of course, consult with other contractors out there.”

The All-Around Bermudas

(See map 1)

Map 1

Water conserving, heat tolerant, and wear tolerant, the bermudas reign in the desert. The hybrids are particularly favored for a close-knit carpet of green and low to moderate maintenance requirements. The bermudas recover quickly from wear and severe injury during their growing season. Contractors use bermudas on sports fields, golf courses, commercial and residential lawns, schools and parks. Dormant in the winter, they’re generally overseeded with perennial ryegrass.

“Warm soil conditions, combined with a good fertility program, allow bermuda to flourish and thrive,” says Hayworth. “Bermuda naturally fills in any open spaces and repairs itself from injury with its rapid growth habit.”

Tifway 419: The Workhorse

Turf. Dependable Tifway 419 is the choice of Sun Devil Stadium, home of college football's Fiesta Bowl, Tempe, Ariz.

For a durable grass that performs in a wide array of applications, Tifway 419 could be the answer. Due to its rugged and aggressive growth habit, and its high resistance to disease, Tifway has been known as the workhorse variety. It displays a good green color combined with slightly more rigid leaf blades. And as temperatures warm in the spring, Tifway’s aggressive growth habit allows for enhanced transition when competing with winter ryegrass. Its dense, rapidly spreading growth habit means quick recovery from injury, and it tolerates close mowing.

Aside from golf courses, Tifway is popular on sports fields, and commercial and residential lawns.

“Tifway 419 is the current bermuda of choice for golf course fairways and roughs in the desert environment,” says Hayworth.

Tifgreen 328: For a Formal Look

Tough yet beautiful, Tifway 419 creates high-performance fairways at the Estancia Club, Scottsdale, Ariz. Its dense, rapidly spreading growth habit means quick recovery from injury, and it tolerates close mowing. Aside from golf courses, Tifway is popular on sports fields, and commercial and residential lawns.

Tifgreen has long been a favorite selection for golf courses, according to Hayworth. It’s considered one of the most adaptable bermudas on the market, displaying excellent performance on tees, fairways and greens. But Tifgreen’s wide range of mowing heights, low and dense growth, and brighter green color make it a great match for commercial and residential lawns, sports fields, lawn tennis courts and lawn bowling greens as well.

“One thing to know about Tifgreen is that its finer texture and slightly higher density allows it to perform better at lower mowing heights,” says Hayworth. “When a highly manicured, formal look of turfgrass is desired, Tifgreen might be your best choice.”

Tifdwarf: For Golf Greens

Zoysiagrass is a great-looking, low-maintenance selection for areas with light to moderate traffic.

Because of its very high level of maintenance, Tifdwarf is generally only specified for golf course putting greens and lawn tennis court applications. Its high-density growth that accepts low mowing heights makes it “king” in these applications. Also, its medium dark green color provides a nice contrast on greens surrounded by other bermudas. Tifdwarf overseeds well and experiences good spring transition.

“Tifdwarf bermuda has been used on putting surfaces in the desert for many years and continues to be specified for new courses today,” says Hayworth. “It’s popular for grass tennis courts, too.”

Bull’s-Eye: The New Kid on the Block

With its tolerance of salt, wear, heat and drought, SeaIsle1 may prove itself to be one of the most important turfgrasses of the 21st century.

Bull’s-Eye Bermuda is a great choice when a thick, lush turf is desired, according to Hayworth. This new variety is exhibiting the darkest-green color and best shade tolerance of the bermudas, and shows an extremely high tolerance for wear. Bull’s-Eye is also distinguished for its broader yet soft leaf texture, high density and population of leaves per plant, and reduced seedhead formation. It is exceptionally tough, survives on less water and resists scalping.

On a golf course, Bull’s-Eye is valued for the contrast it provides between fairways and roughs, and for its stiff blades that provide a great lie. Desert contractors are using Bull’s-Eye successfully on commercial and residential lawns and on sports fields of every kind, according to Hayworth.

“Bull’s-Eye has caught on here in the desert in a big way,” he says. “Contractors are loving it for the lush carpet it provides and the added advantages of wear and shade tolerance are a bonus. Plus, it returns from overseeding very strong.”

The Bermudas at a Glance

Tifway 419:

•Dark-green color.

•Medium-fine texture.

•Tolerant of heavy foot traffic.

•Tolerates close mowing and wide range of mowing heights.

•Tolerates some frost and has an early spring green-up.

•Moderate level of maintenance required.

Tifgreen 328:

•Dark-green color.

•Fine texture.

•Resistant to pests, disease and weeds.

•Recovers quickly from injury.

•Excellent overseeding ability.

•Moderate level of maintenance required.

Tifdwarf:

•Dark-green color, darker than Tifgreen.

•Tolerates close mowing—perfect for highly manicured applications.

•Fine, smooth texture.

•High level of maintenance required.

Bull’s-Eye:

•Deep blue-green color, darker than other bermudas.

•Medium-wide blade.

•Tightly packed leaves near the soil’s surface for improved footing on sports

fields and a good lie for golf courses.

•Compact growth habit.

•Virtually no seed heads.

•Improved shade tolerance.

•Vigorous growth habit promotes quick recovery from injury.

•Moderate level of maintenance required.

The Low-maintenance Zoysias

(See map 2)

Map 2

The zoysias are hailed for their tolerance of shade, heat, drought, saline soils and reduced fertility needs, offering one of the lowest maintenance requirements of all turfgrasses.

“Varieties such as De Anza, Victoria and Diamond are now being evaluated in various applications,” Hayworth says. “De Anza and Victoria appear to have good shade tolerance and display good color during the warm growing season. They’re likely to be good choices for lower maintenance areas with light to moderate traffic.”

De Anza has the blue-green color of bluegrass and a fine, soft texture. It also is desirable for its extremely low maintenance requirements and the fact that it stays green longer into the fall than other types of warm-season turfgrasses.

Popular applications for De Anza include sports fields, golf course fairways and tees, commercial and residential lawns. Diamond is great for specialized landscaping around rocks, boulders and water features.

“One caveat about the zoysias is that they tend to take longer to establish from stolons or plugs than the bermudas,” says Hayworth. “The choice to sod is usually preferred. Also, overseeding zoysias in the desert is should be approached from a minimalist standpoint. We advise very light renovations, combined with light seeding rates of perennial ryegrass or Kentucky bluegrass.”

Shade-Loving St. Augustine

(See map3)

Map 3

St. Augustine is one of the most shade tolerant of all warm-season turfgrasses. Shade tolerance is extremely important in desert landscapes where trees play such an important role in turning down the heat. Palmetto is a cultivator noted for its exceptional cold tolerance and extended growing season. Its deep root system provides superior drought and heat tolerance. Its medium-fine blades deliver exceptional uniformity under a wide range of light conditions.

“Palmetto has a light green color, broad leaf texture and lush growth at a high cut that often gives the sense of a tropical landscape environment,” says Hayworth. “It also maintains fair color during the colder winter months.”

Salt-Tolerant Seashore Paspalum

(See map 4)

Map 4

Desert contractors should definitely take note of a new cultivar of seashore paspalum called SeaIsle1, which has been drawing attention in recent months. Offered just this year by several turf companies across the country, including West Coast Turf, SeaIsle1 is being hailed for its tolerance of saline soils, effluent or reclaimed water and drought. It is also tolerant of extremely high PH levels in soil.

SeaIsle1 is also said to exhibit better tolerance to shade and low light conditions when compared to bermudagrass and exhibits a very uniform texture. It is slightly coarser than Tifway and is said to have a richer, darker green color than many bermudas. SeaIsle1 is being considered for a wide array of golf, sports and landscape uses.

“In the desert southwest, there is a lot of interest being directed towards SeaIsle1,” says Hayworth. “Trials and research are currently underway to evaluate and determine the possibilities for application of this unique and exciting new grass.”

St. Augustine thrives in the shade and adds a tropical look to the entrance of the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort at Gainey Ranch, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Zoysia, St. Augustine & Seashore Paspalum at a Glance

De Anza Zoysia:

•Low maintenance.

•Highly tolerant of shade.

•Blue-green color of bluegrass.

•Medium texture.

Victoria Zoysia:

•Fine, soft texture.

•Good shade tolerance.

•Bright green color.

•Low maintenance.

Palmetto St. Augustine:

•Unsurpassed shade tolerance.

•Deep root system that ensures drought tolerance

•Excellent heat and cold tolerance

•Extended growing season

•Coarse texture

•Low maintenance.

SeaIsle1 Seashore Paspalum:

•Tolerates high levels of salt in water and soil.

•Handles effluent or reclaimed water.

•Tolerates extremely high PH levels in soils.

•Bright green color.

•Tolerates drought and heavy wear, similar to bermudagrass.