If you’ve been looking for Fireball or Hattrick perennial ryegrass in Canada, you may have noticed these cultivars currently seem unavailable. They are produced by Bailey Seed Company out of Oregon, and in the past, they’ve been sold by various companies like Twin City Seeds, an American company based in Minnesota.
The fact that you’re looking for these cultivars is awesome. It means you care about your lawn and you know way more about lawn care than the average Canadian homeowner. And that also means you’re my kind of people. I’m a full-blown lawn enthusiast myself so I get why you’re looking for them.
I’m also the owner of Striped Seed Co. and this website you’re on. We’re a Canadian seed company providing elite, certified seed blends and cultivars to Canadian lawn enthusiasts. We don’t carry Fireball and Hattrick currently, and though the colour performance is compelling, there's more to story. I'll explain more on that in a minute.
But we do carry other elite ryegrass cultivars, many also from Oregon, and if you’re open to it, I want to tell you about one in particular.
It’s a new elite perennial ryegrass cultivar called Alpha Centauri that I think you could easily consider as an alternative to Fireball and Hattrick, and that wouldn’t leave you feeling like you had to settle. In fact, quite the opposite.
Fireball and Hattrick Ryegrass: What’s Behind the Interest?
Fireball and Hattrick first came out and entered National Turfgrass Evaluation Trials (NTEP) back in 2016. But they have gained some attention in the last few years after some YouTubers who live down in the U.S. used them on their home lawns and noted their dark green color. In particular, one video from The Lawn Life (who also sells Fireball and Hattrick on his site) claims them as “the darkest Ryegrass in the WORLD!!”. This has resulted in an uptick in online discussion about them on social media and other sites like Reddit and The Lawn Forum.
And indeed they both scored excellent ‘genetic color’ ratings back in the 2016 NTEP trial so I definitely understand the interest.
I love deep, dark green colour as much as the next lawn nut. Colour is one of the primary attributes we seek when selecting cultivars and was one of the factors we optimized for with the cultivars in our new Canadian Elite Green blend - a custom blend of ryegrass, bluegrass, and fescue that is designed to be a versatile option for people dealing with some partial shade.
But in terms of pure perennial ryegrass cultivars, it’s Alpha Centauri that I’m most excited about. I’m excited to put it into my own lawn this spring and get it into the hands of discerning Canadian lawn enthusiasts.
Introducing Alpha Centauri: A Newer Fireball and Hattrick Alternative
Alpha Centauri is available for the first time in 2025 and is a new elite, certified perennial ryegrass cultivar from Columbia Seeds out of Oregon. It entered NTEP trials in 2022 which are the most recent ones with final published data. Let’s take a quick look at some of the data without getting too technical.
I know what it's like to want a product that's available in the U.S. and not available in Canada. My goal is to simply make you aware of Alpha Centauri and give you the information you need to make an informed decision. If your mind is made up on Fireball and Hattrick—I get it, no worries.
Genetic Color Ratings: Understanding What They Mean for Your Lawn
The genetic color rating measures how dark green a cultivar is, on a scale from 1 to 9, with 9 being the darkest possible shade. These ratings come from NTEP, which tests cultivars across multiple locations and conditions.
Here’s a breakdown of the genetic color ratings for Fireball, Hattrick, and Alpha Centauri:
- Fireball: Mean rating of 7.4 (range: 6.1 to 8.2)
- Hattrick: Mean rating of 7.4 (range: 5.8 to 8.3)
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Alpha Centauri: Mean rating of 6.8 (range: 5.7 to 8.0)
Alpha Centauri's range of 5.7 to 8.0 means it's edged out slightly by Fireball and Hattrick but overall makes it very competitive on colour. Despite a few points difference, its range still puts it in the upper tier of perennial ryegrass cultivars.
Why Consider Alpha Centauri as an Alternative?
Everyone wants a dark green lawn. But here's the thing. When trying to choose the "best" perennial ryegrass seed for your lawn, consider looking beyond colour alone and make sure you're considering the overall performance of the grass and your climate. There's a reason NTEP puts overall "Turfgrass Quality Rating" results at the top of their data documents and colour near the bottom.
Fireball and Hattrick have their place in the market, no doubt. But some savvy lawn enthusiasts have pointed out that although they've garnered high marks for colour, they haven't performed as well across other key performance areas:
Source: Reddit
I realize these are screenshots of internet comments. But in my experience, lawn enthusiasts are a smart group of people. And if you look at the data, there is merit to these evaluations of Fireball and Hattrick.
This is why I'm excited for Canadians to get their hands on Alpha Centauri, which is available now. It has a number of attributes that should make it an appealing alternative. Most notably it's received excellent overall Turfgrass Quality Ratings. For example, in the 2023 data released by NTEP, at three testing locations in the Northeast it scored a mean turfgrass quality rating of 6.3.
In similar testing in the 2016 NTEP trials, Fireball and Hattrick both scored mean Turfgrass Quality Ratings of 5.3.
As a point of reference, the top rating handed out in the 2023 and 2016 trials was 6.8 and 6.4 respectively—in both cases to cultivars that aren't available commercially.
Here's a breakdown of how Alpha Centauri compares in key areas of performance, especially for homeowners who may have specific requirements beyond just colour.
1. Cold Tolerance and Winter Survival: Built for Canadian Conditions
One of the standout features of Alpha Centauri is its cold tolerance. In several NTEP trials, Alpha Centauri has shown better winter survival than Fireball and Hattrick, especially in colder climates. For Canadian homeowners, this is a critical factor. A cultivar that can withstand our long winters and reliably green up in the spring is invaluable. While Fireball and Hattrick are solid performers in cold climates, Alpha Centauri holds its own in extreme cold conditions, making it a great option for Canadian lawns.
2. Wear Tolerance: Durability for High-Traffic Areas
If you have an area of your lawn that sees a lot of foot traffic—whether from pets, kids, or outdoor activities—Alpha Centauri excels in wear tolerance. It has demonstrated strong resilience under high traffic conditions, making it ideal for sports fields, playgrounds, or busy residential lawns. While Fireball and Hattrick are also durable, Alpha Centauri’s ability to withstand frequent wear makes it a reliable choice for areas that experience constant use.
3. Drought Resistance: Resilient in Dry Conditions
Drought resistance is another important factor when choosing a grass seed, especially in regions with variable rainfall or water restrictions. Alpha Centauri has shown better drought resistance than Fireball and Hattrick in certain locations. It performs well even under water stress, maintaining color and vigor during dry spells. While Fireball and Hattrick also tolerate drought conditions, Alpha Centauri is particularly well-suited for areas with limited irrigation or for homeowners who want a grass that performs well with less water.
4. Disease Resistance: A Healthier Lawn with Less Maintenance
When it comes to disease resistance, Alpha Centauri shines, particularly in its resistance to leaf spot and other common grass diseases. This is a key consideration for homeowners looking to reduce the need for chemical treatments and maintain a healthier lawn. While Fireball and Hattrick are not overly susceptible to disease, Alpha Centauri has demonstrated stronger resilience in areas with high humidity or where diseases are more common.
5. Overall Turf Quality: A Standout Performer
Alpha Centauri offers excellent turf quality across several performance factors. It delivers a vibrant green lawn without compromising on other key attributes like cold tolerance, disease resistance, wear tolerance, and seedling vigor. It’s a well-rounded performer that can handle a variety of environmental conditions and still look great.
A Well-Rounded, Elite Choice for Your Lawn
If you’re looking for a resilient, high-performance ryegrass that balances aesthetic appeal with durability, Alpha Centauri is worth considering. It excels in cold climates, wear tolerance, and drought resistance, all while providing a dark green lawn.
The decision ultimately depends on what matters most to you.
Thanks for reading!
- Mark
Lawn Enthusiast
Owner, Striped Seed Co.
