Kentucky Blue Grass, Spreading bluegrass
Poa pratensis
Family: Poaceae or Gramineae
What it is like
Mian Bloom Time: Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Poa pratensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Meadows and grassy places, it is also found on dunes. Common and widespread in Britain, but it is only found on mountains in the south of its range.
Most of Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa, temperate Asia and N. America.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
One report suggests that it might be edible but gives no details. It is quite probably referring to the seed (which is small and very fiddly too utilize) but might be referring to the base of the leaf stems, which is eaten in one other member of this genus.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 0
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Erosion control, Ground cover. Succeeds in any well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position. A polymorphic species. It can be grown in lawns. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - surface sow in the spring in a cold frame. Do not allow the compost to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in the spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Best place to grow: Lawn; Meadow; Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 3-9
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist