ST. AUGUSTINE - a beautiful, fast-growing, warm-season turfgrass. Many cultivars are quite sensitive to freezing temperatures, but some are able to tolerate colder temperatures. St. Augustines grow well in most well drained soils and a wide pH range. St. Augustines are generally coarse and have poor wear tolerance. The North Carolina Experiment Station released cold-hardy Raleigh St. Augustine in 1980. Although finer textured (with a narrower blade) and more tolerant of shade than Zoysia, Raleigh develops dense ground coverage. Raleigh St. Augustine is medium green in color, SAD virus resistant and is best grown in heavier clay soils.