Agrostis stolonifera Seeds | Creeping Bentgrass
LATIN NAME: Agrostis stolonifera
COMMON NAME: Creeping Bentgrass
Plant Profile
Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) is a fine-textured perennial grass of the family Poaceae, native to Europe and western Asia and spread worldwide. It forms dense, low mats by creeping stolons, with narrow blades and delicate, open flower panicles. Its tolerance of close mowing makes it the premier grass of golf-course putting greens, and it is equally at home in damp meadows and lakesides.
Science & Biotechnology
Within the Agrostis group, Agrostis stolonifera is of continuing interest to researchers working on plant diversity, seed biology and the selection of improved garden forms. Creeping bentgrass is standard species used for golf course putting greens worldwide, and decades of turfgrass breeding research have focused on this species specifically to improve disease resistance, mowing tolerance and playing surface quality. From a research perspective, species of this kind are valuable material for work on propagation and on the selection of uniform lines.
Uses & Benefits
Beyond its ornamental appeal, Creeping Bentgrass has the practical versatility that makes a plant worth growing from seed year after year. Its spreading, stoloniferous growth also gives it value for erosion control on damp or wetland-adjacent ground beyond its more famous sporting-turf application. It establishes readily and then requires nothing out of the ordinary.
Like the best garden herbs, it rewards growers twice: once in the garden with scent and pollinators, and again in the home as a traditional household herb.
Growing from Seed
Creeping Bentgrass is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Sow fine seed onto surface of a loose, well-drained mix without covering it deeply, keeping surface consistently moist until germination is well underway, since fine grass seed dries out and fails quickly if allowed to crust over. Full sun and regular light watering suit this species well as it establishes, developing dense, creeping stolons that make it such a distinctive fine turf grass once mature. Use a loose, well-drained seed compost, sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly, and keep everything evenly moist in full sun. Grow the youngsters on steadily in pots until well rooted, then move them to their final positions.
Our Take
Once established, Creeping Bentgrass largely looks after itself. Careful watering early on is rewarded by toughness at maturity.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Creeping Bentgrass often pair it with these related subjects: