TifBlair Centipedegrass

‘TifBlair’ is the first developed and released, improved seeded centipedegrass with a pedigree. Both seed and sod are now available for this cultivar additional information can be found by visiting www.tifblair.com.

Exceptional Late Season Color And Quality: In tests conducted in Alabama, Oklahoma and Georgia, ‘TifBlair’ had equal or better turf quality than the other tested centipedegrass varieties. ‘TifBlair’ produced more stolons and leaves at a greater rate than common centipedegrass. While ‘TifBlairs’ winter dormant color is similar to common centipedegrass, its late season color retention is far superior to common centipedegrass and an improvement over other release cultivars, ‘Oaklawn’ and ‘Tennessee Hardy’.

Developed Especially For Low pH Soils: Common centipedegrass’ poor rooting characteristics have limited it to sites with good soil and water availability. ‘TifBlair’, on the other hand, is an ideal choice for construction sites with eroded, low pH soils such as those routinely found in the Georgia’s coastal plain, Piedmont, and mountain regions. In studies at Griffin, GA, ‘TifBlair’ produced 10% and 62% more growth at soil pH’s of 5.2 and 4.3, respectively, compared to common centipedegrass.

Cold Hardy Enough For Northern Climates: One of the biggest advantages of ‘TifBlair’ over common centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass is its improved cold tolerance. Tests conducted over 3 winters at Stillwater, OK and Blairsville, GA, demonstrated that ‘TifBlair’ can survive prolonged severe winter temperatures. It has performed well in North Carolina for the past three years. This is good news if an aggressive, low-maintenance turf that will do well on highway roadsides or commercial and residential lawns in the more northerly regions is needed.

Adapted To Dry Conditions: Because of volatile weather patterns, water shortages and outright water bans, landscape professionals have been utilizing grasses with improved drought tolerance. ‘TifBlairs’ unique deep-root system gives it the ability to produce superior turf in poor quality soils and under persistent day-in day-out dry conditions.

Improved Plant Vigor Shortens Grow-In Time: On-farm comparisons of ‘TifBlair’ and common centipedegrass have shown that ‘TifBlair’ grown from seed establishes more rapidly and with greater consistency than common centipedegrass. This is partially due to the larger seeds which give the ‘TifBlair’ seedlings more energy to grow faster. This translates into a big advantage for homeowners and landscape professionals alike. Everybody benefits from shorter grow-in times, fewer weed problems and denser turf stands.

‘TifBlair’ is patented and licensed to The Turfgrass Group, Inc., Patten Seed, and its sub-licensees. Unauthorized propagation is strictly prohibited.

The interaction of two mowing heights (1.5- and 3.0-inches) with varying nitrogen rates has been demonstrated. After one-year’s data, centipedegrass decline was observed in ‘TifBlair’ maintained at 3-inches and fertilized with either 2- or 4-pounds of nitrogen / 1000 ft2 / year. In general, plots mowed at 1.5-inches and fertilized with 1- to 2- pounds of nitrogen / 1000 ft2 / year had very acceptable turfgrass quality, color, and less thatch build-up.