Australia’s near-perfect climate is great for growing many types of lawn. Different lawn types have different features and it can be a challenge to choose which one is best for your front yard. Today we’ll be discussing the four most common lawn types in Australia that are suitable for warm weather conditions.
Buffalo grass
Buffalo grass is a favourite in many Australian households and for good reason. It’s durable, it’s easy to maintain, and it has a very wide leaf blade. Previous complaints about Buffalo grass being scratchy and irritating have long been addressed thanks to the introduction of Soft Leaf Buffalo grass. It retains the same characteristics of traditional Buffalo grass, albeit with a softer leaf blade that feels nice and smooth.
This type of lawn is perfect for homeowners who want to spend plenty of time outdoors playing with their pets and children. The soft leaf blade makes it an inviting surface to play in and can make for a lush, vibrant lawn when cared for properly. Some examples of Soft Leaf Buffalo grass are Palmetto, Sapphire, and Prestige.
Zoysia grass
Back in the day, Zoysia grass never caught on with Australians, particularly because of its weird names during its early introduction. Names such as Korean Grass, Temple Grass, and Manilla Grass didn’t sound exciting and most people thought they were suited for ornamental lawns than those found in homes.
But today, Zoysia grass is a recognised name that’s known for its durability and low-maintenance characteristics. It’s highly resistant to heat and looks good all-year round thanks to its low invasive properties. Weeds and thatches will have a hard time appearing on Zoysia grass because of its wide leaf blade that tapers to its tip. Some varieties of Zoysia grass include Jari Blu, Native Nara, and Empire.
Couch grass
Couch grass has always been an attractive lawn type to many Australians thanks to its affordability and rapid growth rate. Couch grass grows quickly and can resist wear and tear just like Zoysia grass, but has a much softer feel to it and doesn’t feel irritating to the skin. Couch grass requires a bit of maintenance like regular mowing and fertilising to look at its best.
If you enjoy caring for your lawn, then Cough grass should be an easy recommendation. Some examples of Couch grass are Stadium and OZ TUFF.
Kikuyu grass
The name Kikuyu grass is derived from a populous grass group found in Kenya and is a mainstay in today’s Australian households. Kikuyu grass is characterised by having a medium width leaf blade that’s quite soft. For warmer climates, Kikuyu grass is excellent because it thrives on high temperatures, even when planted on poor soil types.
Kikuyu can be a high-maintenance lawn because it grows quickly. But, if you keep it well-maintained then you’re sure to have a front yard that looks amazing. Male Sterile Kikuyu is a higher quality version of Kikuyu grass that minimises its invasive properties and lessen maintenance. Kenda Kikuyu is a popular variety of this lawn type.