DOG TUFF™ grass
Cynodon 'PWIN04S'
DOG TUFF™ grass (Cynodon 'PWIN04S') is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 4–6 in tall and 24–48 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Plant Select lawn alternative bred for dog-traffic tolerance; goes dormant brown when cold.
Plant Select®low water4–6 in tall and 24–48 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: Robert Flogaus-Faust, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY)
- Photo 2: Stefan.lefnaer, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 3: Joydeep, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Hellstrips / parking strips, Slopes & erosion control
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 4–6 in tall and 24–48 in wide
- Growth habit
- Spreading
- Planting spacing
- ~34–48 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid summer
- Bloom color
- green
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
What it will do to your yard
- Foot traffic
- Moderate foot traffic
- Lawn alternative
- Mowable lawn alternative
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Using DOG TUFF™ grass as a groundcover
DOG TUFF™ grass spreads steadily. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds. It takes moderate foot traffic, so you can walk on it regularly. On a slope it helps knit the soil together and control erosion.
Planting & establishment
Drought-tolerant warm-season turf alternative; dormant brown in winter.
Frequently asked questions
- Is DOG TUFF™ grass good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, DOG TUFF™ grass is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does DOG TUFF™ grass get?
- It matures to about 4–6 in tall and 24–48 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant DOG TUFF™ grass?
- Space DOG TUFF™ grass about 34 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 48 in apart for a looser planting.
- How much water does DOG TUFF™ grass need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is DOG TUFF™ grass native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is DOG TUFF™ grass deer-resistant?
- DOG TUFF™ grass is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Can you walk on DOG TUFF™ grass?
- DOG TUFF™ grass takes moderate foot traffic, so you can walk on it regularly.
- Can DOG TUFF™ grass replace a lawn?
- Yes, DOG TUFF™ grass works as a mowable lawn alternative on the Front Range. Expect a season or two of weeding and watering while it fills in before it reads as a lawn replacement.
- Will DOG TUFF™ grass spread or stay put?
- DOG TUFF™ grass is spreading. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Is DOG TUFF™ grass good for a slope?
- Yes. DOG TUFF™ grass helps hold soil on Front Range slopes and control erosion once its roots knit in.
- How long does DOG TUFF™ grass bloom?
- DOG TUFF™ grass blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
