How do I get my St. Aug to grow in shade?

LouisianaGal – posted 16 May 2001 15:29

My St. Aug is beautiful in the sunny areas, but will not budge more than a foot or two into the shady areas. I have read it does well in some shade (which is what I have) but my St. Aug just doesn’t seem to want to grow in any shade at all. Is there something I need to add to my soil? How much shade is too much shade? I get some somelight in that area, but not hours of it. Can you recommend a compatible grass if St. Aug won’t fit the bill? I live in the Florida parishes of Louisiana. Thank you for your help!

wdrake – posted 16 May 2001 16:36

There are two S Augustine cultavars that (according to the University of Florida)have “very good” shade tolerance: Bitterblue and Seville. Both are rated “good” with respect to cold tolerance which is importantin our part of the world.

I have “Bitterblue” in semi-deep shade and what has survived the insects, and fungi that have invaded my yard in the last year, is doing well. Not as good as in full sun, but acceptable.

Most of my experience and readings tell me that shade and grass don’t mix. Before you invest too much time and energy in the project I suggest you discuss options with your county agent (a.k.a.extension office) They’ll have better,localized recommendations.

Bill DrakeNiceville FL

seed – posted 16 May 2001 20:58

The textbooks say that St. Augustinegrass has good shade tolerance, but the commonly used variety Floratam is actually poor in the shade. So for every rule there is a glaring exception.

Bitterblue is at best intermediate between Floratam and Seville, based on a Shade Performance Test and Delmar, which should still be available, is about the same or better than Seville. (Please consult that URL because it has some suggestions on measuring shade.)

Palmetto has done well in evaluation at the UF-Fort Lauderdale courtyard but there seems to be no side-to-side comparison data. Palmetto has the same downsides of other dwarf St. Augustines, such as greater incidence of chinch bug outbreak, more susceptibility to drought, and a propensity to seedhead production in the spring.

Phil