Identifying what type of Bermuda grass you have is crucial for proper lawn care and optimal growth. This guide breaks down the process, helping you distinguish between common and hybrid varieties by examining visual cues like blade width, color, and growth habits. You’ll learn to match your lawn’s characteristics to popular types, ensuring you provide the best possible maintenance for a vibrant, healthy turf.

What Type of Bermuda Grass Do I Have

Do you look out at your lawn and wonder, “What type of Bermuda grass do I have?” You’re not alone! Many homeowners enjoy the lush, green beauty of Bermuda grass but don’t know the specific variety growing in their yard. Identifying your particular Bermuda grass type isn’t just a fun fact; it’s a critical step toward providing the best possible care for your lawn. Different types of Bermuda grass have distinct needs when it comes to mowing, watering, fertilizing, and even their tolerance to shade, drought, or foot traffic.

Understanding your Bermuda grass will help you tailor your lawn care routine, leading to a healthier, more resilient, and more beautiful turf. Imagine optimizing your watering schedule perfectly or choosing the right fertilizer blend because you know exactly what your grass needs! This comprehensive guide will walk you through a step-by-step process, equipping you with the knowledge and observation skills needed to identify your Bermuda grass type. Let’s dig in!

Key Takeaways

Common vs. Hybrid: The first step is understanding if your Bermuda grass is common (often seeded, coarser) or a hybrid (usually sodded/sprigged, finer texture).
Visual Cues Matter: Pay close attention to blade width, color, density, and growth patterns (stolons/rhizomes) as these are primary identifiers for Bermuda grass.
Lawn History is Key: Knowing how your lawn was established (seed, sod, sprigs) and its age can significantly narrow down potential Bermuda grass types.
Performance and Maintenance: Observe your lawn’s tolerance to drought, shade, and traffic, as well as its ideal mowing height, as these traits vary between Bermuda grass varieties.
Research Popular Varieties: Familiarize yourself with common Bermuda grass types like Tifway 419, Celebration, and Yukon, and compare their descriptions to your lawn.
Seek Expert Help: If unsure, consider contacting your local university extension office or a professional lawn care service for definitive identification of your Bermuda grass.
Ongoing Observation: Identifying Bermuda grass is a continuous process; changes in growth or appearance can offer further clues over time.

Step 1: Understand the Two Main Categories of Bermuda Grass

Before diving into specific varieties, it’s essential to understand the two broad categories of Bermuda grass: Common and Hybrid. This distinction is the most fundamental step in your identification journey. Most Bermuda grass types will fall into one of these two groups, and knowing which one you have will narrow down your options significantly.

Common Bermuda Grass

Common Bermuda grass, often simply called “common,” is the original, un-improved variety. It’s widely used in general turf applications and pastures. If your lawn was established from seed purchased from a local hardware store, there’s a good chance it’s common Bermuda grass or a blend containing it.

Blade Characteristics: It typically has wider, coarser blades compared to hybrids. The texture is generally less refined.
Color: Usually a lighter to medium green color.
Growth Habit: While it spreads aggressively, it tends to be less dense and uniform than hybrid varieties. It readily produces visible seed heads.
Establishment: Most commonly established from seed.
Maintenance: Generally more forgiving and requires less intensive maintenance than hybrids. It tolerates higher mowing heights.

Hybrid Bermuda Grass

Hybrid Bermuda grass refers to varieties that have been specifically bred for improved characteristics like finer texture, darker color, increased density, and better performance under various conditions. These varieties are sterile, meaning they do not produce viable seeds, or produce very few. This sterility is a key indicator.

Blade Characteristics: Hybrids boast much finer, narrower blades, giving the lawn a more manicured and carpet-like appearance.
Color: Often a darker, richer green or even a distinctive blue-green hue.
Growth Habit: These varieties are incredibly dense and form a thick, uniform turf. They are propagated vegetatively (through sod, sprigs, or plugs), not seed.
Establishment: Exclusively established from sod, sprigs, or plugs. If your lawn was sodded, it’s almost certainly a hybrid Bermuda grass.
Maintenance: Hybrids typically demand a higher level of maintenance, including more frequent mowing (often at lower heights), more precise fertilization, and sometimes more intensive watering.

Once you’ve determined if your Bermuda grass is likely common or a hybrid, you’re ready to look closer.

Step 2: Observe Key Visual Characteristics

Now it’s time to get down on your hands and knees and examine your Bermuda grass up close. The specific visual details of the blades and how the plant grows are crucial for distinguishing between varieties.

Visual guide about What Type of Bermuda Grass Do I Have

Image source: aggieturf.tamu.edu

Blade Width and Texture

This is one of the most significant indicators. Gently pull up a single blade of grass and examine it.

Coarse Blades: If the blades are noticeably wide (think 1/8 inch or more) and feel relatively stiff, you likely have a common Bermuda grass variety.
Fine Blades: If the blades are very narrow (less than 1/8 inch) and feel soft and delicate, you almost certainly have a hybrid Bermuda grass. Some hybrids are incredibly fine-bladed, almost like a carpet.

Color

While color can vary slightly with nutrient levels and time of year, certain Bermuda grass types are known for distinct shades.

Light to Medium Green: This is typical for common Bermuda grass and some older hybrids.
Dark Green to Blue-Green: Many popular hybrid Bermuda grass varieties, like Celebration or Tifway 419, are known for their deep, rich green colors. Celebration, in particular, has a distinctive blue-green tint.

Growth Habit and Density

How your Bermuda grass grows and its overall thickness tell a lot about its type.

Density: Is your lawn thick and lush, or does it feel a bit sparse? Hybrid Bermuda grass varieties are bred for extreme density, forming a tight mat. Common Bermuda grass tends to be less dense.
Stolons and Rhizomes: All Bermuda grass spreads via stolons (above-ground runners) and rhizomes (underground runners). Observe their thickness and how aggressively they spread. Some hybrids, like Tifway 419, are known for their robust stolon and rhizome systems, which contribute to their wear tolerance.
Seed Heads: Common Bermuda grass readily produces visible seed heads, especially if not mowed frequently. Most hybrid Bermuda grass types are sterile and will produce very few, if any, seed heads. If you see abundant seed heads, it’s a strong sign you have common Bermuda grass.

Step 3: Consider Your Lawn’s History

The story of how your lawn came to be can provide vital clues about its Bermuda grass type. Think back, or ask previous owners, about the lawn’s origin.

How Was it Established?

From Seed: If your lawn was grown from seed, it’s most likely common Bermuda grass, or a seeded hybrid blend (like Princess 77 or Yukon, which are designed to offer better performance than common via seed).
From Sod, Sprigs, or Plugs: If your lawn was installed using rolls of sod, sprigs (small pieces of grass with roots), or plugs (small patches of turf), it is almost certainly a hybrid Bermuda grass variety. Hybrids are vegetatively propagated because their seeds are sterile or simply not available for commercial seeding.

When Was it Established?

The age of your lawn can also be a hint. Older lawns might feature older, more established hybrids like Tifway 419, which has been a staple for decades. Newer lawns might use more recent introductions like Latitude 36 or NorthBridge, bred for improved cold tolerance or other specific traits.

Known Variety Information

Did the previous homeowner or the lawn installation company leave any records or information about the type of Bermuda grass planted? This would be the easiest way to identify it!

Step 4: Assess Performance and Maintenance Needs

How your Bermuda grass performs under different conditions and what it demands in terms of care can further help you identify its type. Different varieties are bred for specific strengths.

Drought Tolerance

How well does your lawn handle dry spells?

Excellent Drought Tolerance: Some varieties, like Celebration Bermuda grass, are renowned for their exceptional drought resistance, staying green longer with less water.
Good/Moderate Drought Tolerance: Most other Bermuda grass types are still quite drought-tolerant compared to other warm-season grasses, but some perform better than others.

Shade Tolerance

Bermuda grass is generally a full-sun grass, but some hybrids offer a slight improvement in partial shade.

Very Low Shade Tolerance: If your lawn struggles significantly in areas with even a few hours of shade, it’s likely a variety with typical low shade tolerance (which is most Bermuda).
Moderate Shade Tolerance (for Bermuda): Varieties like Celebration are marketed as having improved shade tolerance compared to others. However, “improved” for Bermuda still means it needs a good amount of direct sunlight.

Traffic Tolerance

How well does your lawn stand up to foot traffic from kids, pets, or outdoor activities?

Excellent Wear Tolerance: If your lawn recovers quickly from heavy foot traffic, it could be a variety like Tifway 419, Latitude 36, or NorthBridge, which are often used on sports fields and golf courses.
Good Wear Tolerance: Most hybrid Bermuda grasses offer good wear tolerance. Common Bermuda grass is generally less resilient to heavy traffic.

Mowing Height

What height do you (or your lawn care service) typically mow your Bermuda grass?

Higher Mowing (1.5-2.5 inches): Common Bermuda grass and some older or less refined hybrids often prefer slightly higher mowing heights.
Lower Mowing (0.5-1.5 inches): Finer-bladed hybrid Bermuda grass varieties thrive when mowed very low and frequently, mimicking golf course conditions.

Fertilizer Needs

Does your lawn seem to need a lot of fertilizer to maintain its color and density? High-performing hybrids often demand more nutrients to reach their full potential.

Step 5: Utilize Professional Resources and Testing

If you’re still uncertain after your observations, it might be time to call in the experts. Professional resources can provide definitive answers.

Local University Extension Office

Your local county extension office, usually associated with a state university’s agricultural program, is an invaluable resource. They often have master gardeners or turf specialists who can identify grass types. Many will allow you to bring in a sample of your grass for identification.

Professional Lawn Care Companies

Reputable local lawn care professionals often have extensive experience with different grass types in your area. They might be able to identify your Bermuda grass with a quick visual inspection, or they may offer advanced testing services.

Soil Testing (Indirect Help)

While a soil test won’t tell you your grass type, it’s vital for understanding the soil conditions that affect your Bermuda grass. Knowing your soil’s pH and nutrient levels will help you provide proper care once you identify your grass, optimizing its health and appearance.

Step 6: Compare with Common Bermuda Grass Varieties

With all your observations in hand, let’s compare them to some of the most popular Bermuda grass varieties found in residential and commercial landscapes. This step will help you match your findings to a specific type of Bermuda grass.

Common Bermuda Grass

Characteristics: Coarse, medium-green blades, forms seed heads readily, lower density, generally less uniform.
Pros: Inexpensive to establish (from seed), very tolerant of neglect, good drought tolerance.
Cons: Less attractive than hybrids, invades garden beds easily, not ideal for low mowing.

Tifway 419 Bermuda Grass

Characteristics: Very fine-bladed, dense, dark green color. Often called the “gold standard” for sports fields.
Pros: Excellent wear tolerance and recovery, fast establishment, adaptable to low mowing, good heat and drought tolerance.
Cons: Requires high maintenance (frequent mowing, fertilization), low cold tolerance, needs full sun.

Celebration Bermuda Grass

Characteristics: Distinctive blue-green color, fine texture, high density, good uniformity.
Pros: Outstanding drought tolerance, good shade tolerance (for Bermuda), excellent wear tolerance and recovery.
Cons: Needs full sun for best performance, can be slow to establish, prone to thatch if over-fertilized.

Latitude 36 Bermuda Grass

Characteristics: Fine texture, dark green, very dense, high cold tolerance for a Bermuda.
Pros: Excellent cold hardiness, superior wear tolerance and recovery, good drought resistance.
Cons: Can be prone to winter injury if improperly managed, needs regular mowing and fertilization.

NorthBridge Bermuda Grass

Characteristics: Similar to Latitude 36 but with even better cold tolerance and quicker spring green-up, fine texture, dark green.
Pros: Top-tier cold tolerance, exceptional wear tolerance and divot recovery, good density.
Cons: High maintenance requirements, relatively new so less widespread familiarity.

Princess 77 Bermuda Grass

Characteristics: A seeded hybrid with a finer texture and darker green color than common Bermuda grass. Good density.
Pros: Can be established from seed, better quality than common, good drought and heat tolerance.
Cons: Not as fine or dense as sodded hybrids, requires more attention than common to achieve its best.

Yukon Bermuda Grass

Characteristics: Another seeded hybrid, notable for its exceptional cold tolerance. Medium-fine texture, good density.
Pros: One of the most cold-tolerant seeded Bermuda grass varieties, good drought tolerance, quick establishment.
Cons: Not as fine or dense as some sodded hybrids, can be slower to establish compared to other seeded types in ideal conditions.

By comparing your detailed observations with these descriptions, you should be able to narrow down the possibilities significantly and often identify your specific Bermuda grass type.

Troubleshooting: What If I Can’t Tell?

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, identifying your Bermuda grass can still be tricky. Here are a few common challenges and what to do:

Mixed Types: It’s possible to have more than one type of Bermuda grass in your lawn, especially if common Bermuda has invaded a hybrid variety over time. In this case, you might see patches with different blade widths or colors. Focus on the predominant type or the areas you want to manage most effectively.
Stressed Lawn: A stressed lawn (due to drought, disease, pests, or nutrient deficiency) might not exhibit its typical characteristics, making identification harder. Address any underlying issues first to bring the grass back to health, then try identifying.
Environmental Factors: Varying light conditions, soil types, or watering patterns across your yard can cause the same Bermuda grass type to look slightly different. Try to take samples from areas with similar conditions.
When in Doubt, Consult an Expert: As mentioned in Step 5, if you’re truly stumped, your local extension office or a reputable lawn care professional is your best bet for a definitive identification. They have the experience and sometimes the tools to tell you exactly what you have.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve taken the essential steps to identify what type of Bermuda grass you have. This journey, from observing minute blade characteristics to understanding your lawn’s history and performance, empowers you with valuable knowledge. Knowing your specific Bermuda grass variety allows you to move beyond generic lawn care advice and implement a highly tailored maintenance plan. You can choose the right mowing height, apply the correct fertilizers, and water efficiently, all of which contribute to a vibrant, resilient, and stunning lawn.

Remember, your lawn is a living system. Continuous observation and slight adjustments to your care routine will help your specific Bermuda grass type thrive for years to come. Enjoy the satisfaction of a perfectly maintained lawn that reflects your efforts and understanding!