Velvet - Bentgrass - Turf Grass

Velvet Bentgrass (Agrostis Canina)

Common names: Velvet bent (English), Agrostis des chiens (French) and Sumf straussgras (German).

Distribution: Native to Europe and temperate Asia.

General Information: It is one of the oldest grasses used for lawns and golf courses in Europe. Velvet Bentgrass was brought to the US for use on the earlier putting greens because of the texture and ability to be clipped closely. Velvet Bentgrass does not grow the best in the transition area and is used mainly in the far upper northern area of the US in the coastal areas, which are well noted for the moist, cool climates and more fertile soils. It grows more like the Colonial version only shorter. Velvet bent grass is lighter in color than Colonial and Creeping varieties.

Velvet Bent grass has the finest texture of all the Bent grasses. Velvet Bent is producing an exceptionally dense turf. It has, in general, a better drought tolerance compared to other Bent grasses. The production of thatch needs to be controlled and fertilisation needs to be moderate.

Description: Perennial plant, small size, hairless, without rhizomes. Stems often horizontal then raised (ascendent), often stoloniferous, 10 to 60 cm high. Blade rolled when young. Leaves from the bottom with rolled, thin blade. Leaves of the stem with spreading but narrow blade. Blades always flexible, pale-green to greyish-green. Ligule long, generally acute. No auricles. Panicle-like, loose inflorescence, spreading at the flowering and contracted afterwards. Spikelets 1-flowered, with a long bent awn on the lemma (A. capillaris, A. stolonifera and A. gigantea have no awn in the spikelets except the aristata form of A. capillaris !). The weight of 1000 seeds is 0.08 to 0.10 g (small seeds). Chromosome number: 2n = 14.

Plant characteristics:

• Habitat: From the lowlands to alpine levels in mountain areas.
• Growth Habit: Stoloniferous.
• Texture: Extremely fine.
• Density: Very high.
• Colour: Colour green.

  Velvet Bentgrass - Turf

• Useful identifying Characteristics: stoloniferous growth habit; narrow leaf blade; rolled vernation; membranous ligule.
• Uses: A high-management grass used in cool, humid regions for putting or bowling greens or other applications requiring closely-mowed turf. Used less commonly than creeping or colonial bentgrass.
• Sun Light/Temperature: Large climate range. Very resistant to cold. Sun/shade sun to moderate shade.
• Moisture/Water: Sensitive to drought. Moisture frequent irrigation may be required. Water requirements are high in the dryer areas. Velvet Bent grass cannot tolerate the warm, dry areas and needs lots of moisture.
• Cultivar Examples: Legendary, Villa 1. Establishment time is dependent upon the variety chosen.
• Fertiliser: Fertilisation requirements range from medium to high with regard to the usage of the turf. Fertilisation requirements can be high depending upon the usage and wear, and mowing schedules.
• Soil: Soil acid to slightly acid. Restricted to wet and very wet soils. Limited to nutrient poor soils but often with high organic matter content, namely peat soils. Optimum on very acid soils. Usually on siliceous soils: sand, schist, etc.
• Reproduction: Life cycle perennial (may be short-lived).
• Seeding Rate: 0.33 to 0.67 lb per 1000 sq.ft.
• Propagation seed and stolons. Seeds/lb 11,000,000. Fertility 2 to 4 lb N/1000 sq.ft./year
• Mowing: Mowing height 1/5″ to 1/2″

Special Problems:

Avoid poorly drained sites; can develop much thatch; may be prone to iron chlorosis; many diseases.

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