'Reveille' Bluegrass: Not Recommended for Georgia

A radio listener asked about 'Reveille' bluegrass for Georgia. I'd never heard of it. UGA turf specialist Clint Waltz dug into it:

'Reveille' is a hybrid between Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and Texas bluegrass (P. arachnifera), released from Texas A&M in the 1990s. One source mentions a planting at Griffin Experiment Station that performed well, but location and current status unknown.

Skepticism based on parents: Kentucky bluegrass doesn't persist in Georgia's heat/humidity (except north mountains). Texas bluegrass introduced to NC/FL but little performance data. Thrives in Texas (except extreme south/west), most common in north-central region. South Texas climate similar to Georgia, but Texas bluegrass areas get 19–30 inches rain/year – best in semi-arid climates like central plains. Georgia is not semi-arid.

Without comparative data, I'd be apprehensive planting 'Reveille' and wouldn't recommend it for most of Georgia.