Evaluation of a diverse range of cultivars of Phalaris aquatica, Festuca arundinacea, Lolium perenne, Dactylis glomerata and Thinopyrum ponticum in a site prone to winter waterlogging and summer drought showed that the winter active, erect Phalaris cultivars 'Sirolan', 'Atlas PG' and 'Holdfast' were highly productive and persistent. One of the five F. arundinacea cultivars, cv. Prosper, was summer dormant and had greater persistence than the other Festuca lines. Selection for waterlogging tolerance within D. glomerata cv. Porto, improved persistence. Thinopyrum ponticum proved to be productive, especially in moist, cool and extended spring seasons.