making it a standard variety in NTEP trials. It is found world- wide, from the links of TPC Sawgrass to the World Cup and Olympic soccer stadiums of Brazil. Approximately 3,800 domestic acres of Celebration are grown by 54 sod farms.

Bella bluegrass was unique when introduced in 2007 and it still is today. Te world’s first and only dwarf vegetative bluegrass, Bella regrows and spreads from rhizomes. Developed by the University of Nebraska, with a typical top height of four inches, Bella requires very little mowing; in some cases 85 percent less. In 2016, Bella debuted on the QVC home shopping network with Roberta’s Gardens selling 50-piece plug trays. Bella is ideal for lawns, green-roof and design projects.

Geo zoysia came from Craft Turf Farms in 2010. It’s fine-bladed, with shade tolerance equal to a good St. Augustine. Geo is ideal for high-end lawns and golf courses across the southern United States.

Latitude 36 and NorthBridge bermudagrass were released together from Oklahoma State University’s breeding program in 2012. Tey have since made their mark in the sports world, including in a number of NFL, MLS, MLB and college stadiums. Te pair ranked at or near the top in nearly every category from the last NTEP cycle and Latitude 36 has already been named as an NTEP standard variety. Both grasses have fine blades and outstanding visuals. Cold hardiness is one of their most celebrated features, which enables them to push the transition zone north.

Sunday Ultra-dwarf bermudagrass, introduced in 2012, was developed by Craft Turf Farms in the late 1980s for use on Cotton Creek Golf Course in Foley, Alabama. It remains on those greens and has retained its genetic purity ever since. On golf greens, Sunday can be maintained like a dwarf for those with limited budgets, or like an ultra-dwarf maintained down to .080 to get stimp readings of 12 and above. University research has shown Sunday has a better root system than many other big- name ultra-dwarfs.

Te Turfgrass Group

Zeon zoysia, known as one of the most beautiful warm-season grasses, is currently the top selling zoysia in America. Its fine leaf texture and exceptional shade tolerance made Zeon the choice of Tiger Woods for his new Blue Jack National course in Montgomery, Texas. Only the best grass could be chosen for the Olympic course in Rio where Zeon will be played upon this August. Add its ease of maintenance, combined with minimal water and fertilizer usage, and Zeon becomes one of the most desired for our “Best of 50 Years” group.

TifGrand is a fine-bladed, dense turf with dark green color and excellent tawny mole cricket resistance. Te world’s first and only sterile triploid bermudagrass for shade, it is known as the most shade tolerant of certified bermudagrasses. Yet its superior qualities also are enjoyed in full sun. Sports turf managers, golf course superintendents, property owners and sod producers increasingly desire TifGrand.

Turf Merchants, Inc.

Bonsai dwarf fescue created its own market for reduced-growing tall fescues in the early 1990s and remains the most imitated category of tall fescues. Sold today, in its fourth iteration as Bonsai 2x, it stands among the most memorable tall fescues in turfgrass history.

Gnome Kentucky bluegrass redefined the seeded bluegrass market in the late 1980s. It became part of a category, BVMG, defined by four varieties: Baron, Viva, Merit and Gnome. Gnome remains in production today.

Millennium 1, 2, 3 and 4 remains one of the most successful lines of turf type tall fescue since this new category burst into the marketplace in 1980. Continuous advancements in brown patch resistance, turf performance, color and texture made it a favorite with millions of pounds sold annually.

Vista Seed Partners, LLC

Metolius perennial ryegrass (PPG PR-165) was developed at Rutgers and Peak Plant Genetics and licensed to Vista Seed Partners, LLC. Released for production in 2014, it has excellent resistance to gray leaf spot and brown patch. Metolius had the fastest establishment of any variety in the 2014 NTEP trials. In 2014, it also demonstrated excellent drought tolerance, wear tolerance and good salt tolerance.

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