UC Verde Buffalograss

Researchers at UC Davis and UC Riverside have shown that a buffalograss cultivar can make a thick, green, drought-tolerant lawn for California's hot dry summers.  We have partnered with Florasource, Ltd. to bring this alternative turfgrass option to the public.

Home Landscape Use
UC verde on playground

‘UC Verde’® buffalograss may be mowed as a lawn or left long for a landscape meadow.  Unlike other lawns, this grass only requires weekly watering during the warm season to maintain its appearance.  Its slow growth means mowing is required once every two to three weeks for lawns or once a year for a meadow, to invigorate growth.  Environmental and health benefits of planting ‘UC Verde’ ® can be found here.

Public Landscape Use

SmartLandscape at UC Davis has integrated UC Verde buffalograss into their landscape as part of their turf and turf alternative demonstration plots.  Typical warm weather turf fill-in takes place in a matter of weeks.

SmartLandscape at UC Davis- UC Verde Buffalograss 2023 Water Use Data

Below, readers can find the 2023 water use data and key findings for UC Verde Buffalograss at SmartLandscape. Plot 3 showcases Eco-Mat sub-surface irrigation and Plot 4 uses MP Rotator surface irrigation. In addition to calculating the ETWU and MAWA for each plot, SmartLandscape records the actual applied water, as seen in the graphs below.

plot 3 2023 data
plot 3 pf

Key Findings- Plot 3

100% UC Verde (warm season turf) can be planted and meet MWELO; MWELO compliant for 2nd year
Rachio weather-based controller managed applied water below MAWA (irrigation 7 day/week window)
Sub-surface irrigation using Eco-Mat can meet MWELO with 100% UC Verde
UC Verde mowed less than 6 times per year
 
plot 4 2023 data
plot 4 pf

Key Findings- Plot 4

100% UC Verde (warm season turf) can be planted and meet MWELO when surface irrigated by MP Rotator nozzles
Orbit B-Hyve weather-based controller managed applied water below MAWA (irrigation 7 day/week window)
Surface irrigated UC Verde did not meet MWELO in 2022
Orbit B-Hyve controller adjusted to reduce applied water for 2023
UC Verde mowed less than 6 times per year

Please direct inquiries to:

Florasource, LTD. ®

(949) 498-1131
PO Box 758
San Clemente, CA 92674-0758