You would use different kinds there. Try web site of Louisiana Cooperative Extension.

Most turf grasses in this area are blends of cool season grasses rather than a single species, often various combinations of fescues and perennial ryegrass. These grasses grow and thrive in climates with mild winters and cool summers, with primary growth occurring in spring and early fall. They tend to go dormant during summer. Unfortunately, they are not well suited to Louisiana or any southern climate - warm season grasses are best for these locations.

Here is a link that might be useful: Louisiana turf grass recommendations

I'm curious, though--does anyone know what this grass is? We are going to replant a small area in the front yard with grass (we're taking out most of the grass, but keeping some at the request of our daughter) and I'd really like to get a grass that can stand up to dandelion and other weeds, and yet not be invasive into the beds like some kind of grass we've got now that spreads like bermuda grass I remember from back east.

Does anyone know? What would be someone's perfect grass/combination choice for a semi-sunny area here?

the grass that spreads like Bermuda, that you've got now, is probably bentgrass of one species or another. And in my skewed opinion it is the best grass for this area. Doesn't mind gravelly soil, takes summer drought, takes winter waterlogging, stands up to heavy foot traffic, doesn't need much fertilizer, crowds out weeds.

Any other grass I've grown here, has not done nearly as well under the above conditions.

The perfect combo in my opinion is bentgrass, white clover, and moss. Not a popular opinion I realize but it's mine, and born of harsh experience.

well, reg, that pretty much sums up our "lawn" right now :), at least in the backyard. I don't mind it at all.

The front yard is wetter and shadier (not complete shade, but not full sun all day)...I just wish the dandelions would not be there. Yes, I know they're edible etc. but I just don't like the look of them as much as I like the look of clover or grass (even the bermuda/bentgrass stuff).

And since the bentgrass spreads above ground, I'm guessing that an edging sunk into the ground wouldn't make a difference as it might with something like bamboo? Is there any other way to keep it from spreading up the beds?

Thanks for your reply.

Grass in the PNW is commonly a lot of perennial rye in the mix which won't live through a Southern summer. It is what they overseed the Bermuda with in winter in So Cal and AZ.

My favorite warm climate grass is St. Augustine.

Bentgrass doesn't spread just above ground. It has stolons below ground too. Not terribly deep though. I would think treating it like bermuda would work, if you want something manicured - an edging that goes a few inched below ground should limit its spread.

Grasses aren't going to do well in a half-shade, wet spot. Moss will do great. Unfortunately it doesn't keep out the weeds. Does it have to be walked on like a lawn? have you considered using something like vinca minor as a ground cover? It can take a little bit of foot traffic and it loves half-shade, much better than grass does. So would creeping euonymus, or salal, or wintergreen. I have all four in my garden, in half- to mostly- shade, where the grass won't grow.

Does bentgrass form a sort of mat? I was running my dethatch rake across the lawn last fall, and that was when I noticed we had a lot of "creeping" grass. Is that the bentgrass? Do people plant it here, or did it invite itself into my yard?

Also, should I let the clover do it's own thing? Will it take over my lawn eventually, or does it exist nicely with grass?

I don't need a perfect lawn, I just want have more grass than shotweed (or whatever that white flowered stuff is). Sounds like I'm on my way - I have moss, possible bentgrass, and clover, and I've overseeded some areas with rye & fescue. Hopefully that will fill in the areas of dirt where the weeds are setting up shop!

QUOTE...

"Does bentgrass form a sort of mat? I was running my dethatch rake across the lawn last fall, and that was when I noticed we had a lot of "creeping" grass. Is that the bentgrass? Do people plant it here, or did it invite itself into my yard?"

Almost any grass can form a mat if not taken care of. Fine fescue can build a thatch mat from over fertilizing at rates fit for perennial ryegrass. And likewise the rye from overfertilizing for it's needs.

The bentgrass if not fertilized does the "mat" thing mainly due to the way it can spread with stolons. The mat is not very dense unless fertilized. But it can be aggressive.

It can blow in via seeds, or because lawn service do not wash their mowing equipment in-between properties.

As far as clover - here's my personal opinion. I like clover. In the back yard at least. I also like the short daisies.

M. D. Vaden of Oregon