FEATURES:
• Strong transition-zone performer with
exceptional tolerance to summer heat stress
• Resistant to a host of turf diseases
• Excellent endurance under close mowing
• Rich, dark green color
• Superior shade tolerance
PERFORMANCE
CHARACTERISTICS:
• MOWING TOLERANT:
Nationally, Absolute was the #2 variety at
test sites between 1.6 and 2 inches, including
sites in Oklahoma, Minnesota, Pennsylvania
and Washington. And it was among the top varieties
under 1 inch (data from the National Turfgrass
Evaluation Program [NTEP] provided upon request).
• SUPERIOR TURF QUALITY:
Absolute was a top overall performer in the
most recent NTEP trial in a number of states
and qualities. In our own testing in the tough
Washington, DC transition-zone area, Absolute
tied for #1 out of 200 top experimental prospects
– three years running – with an
overall turf quality rating of 7.6. Midnight,
by comparison, rated 6.2, Unique 4.8, and
Aspen 3.8.
• GREAT WINTER PERFORMANCE:
Absolute is the very first of the dark, dense
bluegrass cultivars to combine an attractive
winter and early spring color with a dark
green summer color. It maintains pleasing
color for extended periods of cool weather.
• AGGRESSIVE:
Absolute is moderately aggressive and forms
a full, dense turf, crowding out many weeds,
even at lower cutting heights. But unlike
earlier aggressive bluegrasses, Absolute is
not as thatch-prone.
• EXCELLENT SHADE TOLERANCE:
Absolute outscored previous top shade varieties,
‘Glade’ and ‘Eclipse’
in the NTEP trial. Performance was also outstanding
at our in-house trials in Post Falls, Idaho
for shade tolerance and powdery mildew resistance.
DISEASE AND INSECT TOLERANCE:
• Leaf spot - Superior resistance
• Necrotic ring spot - Excellent resistance
• Melting out - Superior resistance
• Stripe smut - Excellent resistance
• Crown rust - Very good resistance
• Brown patch - Very good resistance
• Stem rust - Good resistance
• Snow mold - Improved resistance
• Summer patch - Improved resistance
DEVELOPMENT:
Absolute Kentucky bluegrass is an intraspecific
hybrid, created between a mother plant in
the Aggressive Class of bluegrass, and a father
plant in the Compact Class, conveying the
best characteristics of both classes into
the turf.
