Cool Season Grass

• Cool season grass types are typically grown in the northern regions of the United States, because they go dormant in hot weather. Varieties that can be grown in shade include the fine fescue types such as creeping red fescue, hard fescue and chewing fescue. Tall fescue can be grown in the shade, but the grass must be kept at a height of 3 inches to perform adequate photosynthesis. Of the bluegrass types, grow supina bluegrass. Avoid planting Kentucky bluegrass in the shade, because it will not grow, according to the University of Wisconsin Extension.
  
  

Warm Season Grass

• Warm season grass types are typically grown in the southern United States, because they cannot tolerate cold temperatures. Zoysia grass has numerous cultivars that can thrive in the shade, such as Diamond, Belaire, Cavalier and El Toro. St. Augustine grass is also shade tolerant. You can plant St. Augustine cultivars such as Delmar, Jade, Raleigh and Palmetto, according to Clemson University. Refrain from planting Bermuda grass seed under shade, because the grass will not be able to spread.
  
  

Factors

• Because cool season grass is planted in the fall, gardeners should plant early enough before leaves fall over their planting area or newly planted seedlings. You can decrease the amount of leaves by raking them up consistently during the fall to prevent smothering the grass. Furthermore, avoid leaving your grass clippings on the lawn in the shaded areas. Grass growing in shady areas needs as much light as it can get.
  
  

Increasing Light

• Increase the amount of light in the yard by pruning back overhanging tree branches. Remove branches that are growing below 10 feet from the ground, according to the United States National Arboretum. Prune branches next to the branch collar of the tree. The branch collar is the swelling that attaches the branch to the trunk. Trees or shrubs that are creating less than four hours of sunlight in the area should be removed. Grass is unable to grow with less than four hours of sun.