Knowledgebase
Low Water grasses #878916
Asked July 26, 2024, 2:10 PM EDT
I am looking for low water type grass for elevation of 7700 feet I have read that fescue is a good choice, and that maybe mix something with it? What type of fescue or other grasses will withstand Colorado heat, drought, and higher elevation cold and snow? Also looking for hardy grass that will choke out weeds, particularly foxtail. Thank you for your help.
Karen Custer
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Karen,
For an elevation of 7700 feet, you’ll want to consider native grasses that are well-suited to the high-altitude conditions. Cool-season grasses like Fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and Perennial Ryegrass need lower temperatures to grow to their full potential and won’t die when exposed to bitter winter weather. You didn’t say what the sunlight exposure is or the amount of foot traffic which are important considerations when selecting grasses. Fescue grass is the best option for low maintenance and shade tolerance for cooler region lawns. It is resilient to cold winters and it tolerates the heat well as long as it gets enough water. Most Fescues are slow-growing and need between one and two inches of water per week to stay lush and vibrant. Prolonged droughts will weaken Fescue making it especially important to water consistently when the weather heats up. One of Fescue’s main weaknesses is that it’s vulnerable to foot traffic.
Perennial Ryegrass: This grass is an excellent choice for high-altitude areas. It can tolerate extremely cold temperatures, even dropping below freezing at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Perennial ryegrass is versatile, drought-tolerant, and grows well in various soil types, including clay.
Here are some other options:
Blue Grama Grass: This warm-season grass is native to the High Plains and is often referred to as “eyelash grass.” It’s a low-growing bunch grass, reaching about 1 to 1 ½ feet tall with seed heads. Blue Grama Grass can be grown as a tight turf and has a very fine texture. It is hardy up to 10,000 ft.
High Altitude Native Grass Seed Mix: If you’re looking for a mix of native grasses commonly found at elevations around 8000 feet, consider this seed mix. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and requires less maintenance than introduced grasses. This grass seed mix includes a couple species of Fescue.*
It’s important to choose grasses that are well-adapted to your specific soil type, sunlight exposure, usage and local climate.
https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/581.pdf
*https://bbbseed.com/product/high-altitude-native-grass-mix/
https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/412.pdf
Thanks for contacting Ask Extension.
Jeffco Master Gardener Clinician Nancy
