Bent Grass / Browntop

About Bent Grass

Bent grass (Agrostis capillaris, aka Browntop, New Zealand Bent, or Highland Bent) was historically the most widely grown cool-season grass, either by itself or in grass seed blends. Bent has a bluey-green colour, fine blades and tolerates low mowing. It makes a beautiful, evergreen, fine textured and dense lawn. While bent grass remains a go-to choice for golf greens, it's less favoured by home gardeners these days because it requires a continual high level of maintenance, plus it's quite susceptible to diseases.

Bent grass is a perennial species, best suited to cool–temperate or cold climates, but will grow happily in warmer areas provided plenty of water is applied through summer. It prefers full sunlight, but will tolerate partial shade and it's resistant to wear when very well established.

Bent grass can cope with poor-fertility or sandy soil and establishes itself quickly from seed. Sow bent grass in early spring or autumn. Seedlings usually emerge in seven to ten days, sometimes faster in favourable weather.