Testing Poa supina in the Shade

At the back of our house we have three matured serviceberry trees (Amelanchier laevis). Each year the amount of sunlight that reaches the landscape below decreases. As you can see, the shade began to thin out the turf below which mainly consisted of Annual Bluegrass, Kentucky Blue and Ryegrass. The conditions were deteriorating each year.

Working at St. Thomas G&CC we were re-soding a few tee decks and I was given the opportunity to try a newly introduced species known as Poa supina. Supina is a cool season grass known to be shade tolerant and is distinct from many other grasses because of its lighter green colour. I received the Poa supina sod late spring 2011 and installed it in the narrow path area beneath the serviceberries, where minimal sun was reaching the turf.

The path beneath the trees before.

Poa Supina right after installation

After Installation

Fall 2012 - The Poa supina showed great success in the summer of 2011 and summer of 2012. Summer 2012 was a challenge because of the heat, I was watering it every couple days to keep it cool and moist.

     

Late September 2013 - After just over three years, the Poa supina has yet to disappoint. It loves cool weather so it tends to come out of dormancy earlier and go into dormancy later than any other grass on our property. Highly recommended if you can afford it!!                            

Link:  http://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/mitgc/article/1996215.pdf