Choosing your lawn
Selecting the right lawn is essential to creating a beautiful, functional outdoor space. Whether you prioritise durability for high-traffic areas, shade tolerance, or low-maintenance options, understanding the unique qualities of each grass type will help you make the best choice for your home.
Explore our guide to find the perfect match for your lifestyle, environment, and aesthetic preferences.
Major lawn varieties in Western Australia
There are four major varieties of lawn used throughout Western Australia to suit different conditions:
Couch
Hardy, fast-growing, and perfect for sunny spaces! Couch grass is the top pick for high-traffic areas like sports fields and active backyards. Known for its fine blades and quick recovery, it bounces back from heavy use. Just be ready for frequent mowing to keep it neat.
Varieties include Wintergreen, Tiftuf, and Plateau.
Kikuyu
A robust turf with broad blades and exceptional resilience. It performs best in full sun and high-traffic areas, making it perfect for large properties and coastal regions. It offers rapid repair and vibrant green color. Kikuyu is best suited for expansive lawns and parks where its resilience truly shines, but it’s less ideal for smaller or shaded gardens.
Varieties include Common Kikuyu and Village Green.
Buffalo
The ultimate all-rounder for WA backyards! With its excellent shade tolerance, Buffalo grass is perfect for areas with trees. It requires less water than some alternatives and requires only moderate upkeep, making it a versatile choice without the hassle. It has broad, soft leaves which offer a soft feel underfoot, perfect for families.
Varieties include Sir Walter, Sapphire, and Palmetto.
Zoysia
The premium choice for WA homeowners who want beauty and low maintenance. Zoysia grass offers fine to medium blades that are soft underfoot, exceptional drought tolerance, and a dense, lush appearance. It grows slowly, so you’ll spend less time mowing and more time enjoying your lawn.
Popular varieties include Empire Zoysia and Sir Grange Zoysia.
Lawn subtypes
Each lawn species has various sub species, each with their own benefits.
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Wintergreen: All-rounder of Couch variety. Known for its fine texture and vibrant green color. Compared to other Couch varieties, Wintergreen is less drought-tolerant but offers a soft, consistent appearance.
Tiftuf: The water-saving champion of Couch grasses, Tiftuf is engineered for superior drought resistance while maintaining its rich green hue. It’s tougher than Wintergreen and recovers faster from wear.
Plateau: The low-maintenance option in the Couch family, Plateau requires less fertilising and mowing than Wintergreen or Tiftuf. While it is slightly coarser in texture, it is a great choice for less intensive lawn care.
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Common: The hardy and fast-growing original, it thrives in large, sunny spaces. While it’s more cost-effective, it requires regular mowing to manage its vigorous growth compared to Village Green.
Village Green: The refined option in the Kikuyu family, Village Green boasts finer blades and a more compact growth habit than Common Kikuyu. It also offers superior wear tolerance.
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Sir Walter: The all-rounder of Buffalo varieties. It has a soft, lush texture and exceptional shade tolerance. Compared to Sapphire or Palmetto, it requires moderate maintenance but is the most versatile Buffalo choice for Australian conditions.
Sapphire: The premium Buffalo option with finer leaf blades, it offers a softer feel and faster growth compared to Sir Walter. It’s slightly less shade-tolerant but provides an aesthetically superior appearance.
Palmetto: The low-maintenance Buffalo, it is slower growing and requires less mowing than Sir Walter or Sapphire. It has broad leaves and excellent drought resistance, making it a durable yet easy-care lawn.
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Empire: The reliable all-rounder in the Zoysia family, it features medium-width blades, drought resistance, and low maintenance needs. Compared to Sir Grange, it establishes faster and handles wear better.
Sir Grange: The luxury lawn in the Zoysia range, it is a fine-leafed, slow-growing turf with a stunning, dense appearance. It requires less mowing than Empire but is more delicate and suited for low-traffic areas.
Finding the perfect lawn for your needs
As a general guide, we recommend these lawn varieties for different needs and environments:
Coastal areas: Kikuyu (it withstands salt and wind)
High traffic areas: Couch or Kikuyu
Family friendly: Buffalo or Zoysia
Large properties: Kikuyu
Low maintenance: Zoysia
Shaded areas: Buffalo
Hot and dry areas: Couch or Zoysia
