According to the experts, you can grow a gorgeous lawn in the shade, as long as you pick the right grass and take care of it. Most garden-appropriate grass needs at least four hours of direct sunlight to survive, but shade-tolerant grass can thrive in four hours of dappled sun or partial shade. This is an important fact to keep in mind when you plant and grow grass in the shade.

The Basics 

Quite often, shady areas beneath trees and tall shrubs can be lightened up by pruning. As you prune, aim to thin the canopy so that sunlight can penetrate the grass beneath. You will also need less fertiliser when you are growing in the shade. A shady lawn also doesn’t use water as often and fast as grass growing in full sun, making it a waterwise favourite. 

Shade-Loving Grass 

Buffalo  

Grass connoisseurs describe Buffalo grass as a unique grass that is indigenous, waterwise, and tolerates both sun and semi-shade. Buffalo is a perennial creeper that is heat and drought tolerant. Buffalo grows naturally along the coast and is known all over the Cape region.  

LM Berea  

Originally found on the KwaZulu Natal coast and into Mozambique, LM Berea is indigenous to Southern Africa. It performs very well in shady to semi-shaded conditions, but it can also be planted in the sun.  Because of its creeping growth habit, LM is heat tolerant.  

What to Plant

Our friends at Mayford offer the following grass seeds that are perfect for semi-shaded and shaded areas.  

All Seasons Evergreen® 

All Seasons Evergreen® has been designed to grow in full sun and semi-shade conditions. Unlike the creeping grasses, this grass mixture will stay green throughout the year, no matter how cold it gets. All Seasons Evergreen® can thrive in a wide variety of growing conditions and reduce susceptibility to disease without compromising the overall uniformity of the lawn’s appearance. 

Shade-Over® 

Shade-Over® has been designed to grow in full shade and semi-shade. The combination of All Seasons Evergreen® and Shade-Over® thus covers the whole spectrum from shade to full sun while maintaining a uniform appearance. Shade-Over® has been designed to cope with low light intensities under trees and on the south sides of walls. This grass mixture will also stay green throughout the year. 

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