Which of the following has the greatest low-temperature hardiness?

• A. Buffalograss
• B. Creeping Bentgrass
• C. Zoysiagrass
• D. Centipedegrass

Answer: (A)

Low-temperature hardiness is about how well a turfgrass survives freezing conditions and bounces back after winter stress. Buffalograss has evolved in the cooler plains where winters can be harsh, and it carries strong winter-survival traits: a robust rhizome network and a growth habit that tolerates frost and soil freezing without extensive shoot injury. These adaptations help buffalograss endure cold better than the other warm-season options listed, giving it the edge in surviving winter conditions. Creeping bentgrass is excellent in cold climates as a cool-season grass, but it doesn’t have the same winter-survival behavior as buffalograss in the context of this comparison, while centipedegrass and zoysiagrass are more susceptible to cold and winter injury.