Shademaster was the first soft leaf buffalo available and originated in the NSW Hunter Valley in the mid 1980s.  It is a broad leaf buffalo type with a soft velvety leaf, similar in appearance to traditional buffalo, but has a somewhat rougher texture than Sir Walter.

Shademaster has vigorous growth properties.  It is a fast growing buffalo handling high traffic areas with moderate to good shade tolerance and reasonable drought tolerance.

Shademaster is a beautiful green colour from late spring to autumn.  During the winter months it goes dormant and develops a maroon tinge.

Shademaster requires little fertiliser and water once it is established. In normal conditions generally one watering per week would be adequate then increase as required during peak summer. In conditions where soil moisture is limited, increase watering.  For information on Water Restrictions in your area, go to www.sydneywater.com.au

Concentrate on fertilising during spring and autumn. Be wary of heavy fertiliser applications between December and March as, combined with the hot and humid weather, this can cause a fungus disease.  Diseases (Hyperlink to Diseases page)

Three applications of a balanced slow release lawn food - once in September, once in December and once in March - and a single application of a balanced organic fertiliser in April or May, per annum will give excellent results.  

Shademaster tends to get a purple colouring in the leaf tip during the cold months and if this is aesthetically a problem, it can be cured by fertilising with an organic based fertiliser in April and increasing the mowing height before winter, thus allowing enough length in your lawn to mow off.

Shademaster should be maintained at about 40mm length to give a beautiful soft feel to the lawn. Where Shademaster is in a very shady position it should be kept longer (50mm) at all times to allow more leaf growth to compensate for the lack of sunlight.

In spring your Shademaster lawn (as with any lawn) should be mown very low and fertilised. This removes the thatch that has built up in your lawn and allows new stolon growth.

• will tolerate semi-shaded areas
• is very hard wearing
• displays vigorous growth properties
• has a broad soft leaf
• its thick ground cover helps to inhibit the germination of weeds
• discolours in winter, however under certain conditions (frost-free, warm conditions all year round with regular fertilisation) it may retain its green colour.