Zoysia grass are warm - season grasses aboriginal to southerly Asia that are popular as lawns in modern America . Zoysia turf is renowned for its obtuse mat - like qualities , as well as allowance of wraith , summer warmth and seasonal droughts . It makes great lawns for gymnastic fields and golf trend in the southern one-half of the continental United States , especially in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 6 and warmer . All zoysia sens varieties require a well - drain dirt .
Origins
The zoysia green goddess mixed bag " Empire " is a type of Japanese lawn grass ( Zoysia japonica ) . According to Phillip Jennings Turf Farm in Soperton , Georgia , " Empire " was selected by sod horticulturist in Brazil . " Zeon " is a variety of Manila grass ( Zoysia matrella ) . It was choose by a turf grower in Poteet , Texas from a collection of source - grown Manila green goddess imported from Japan , according to the U.S. Trademark and Plant Patent Office .
Features
" Empire " is often marketed as a modern substitution and improvement over the long - standing " Emerald " selection of zoysia grass . " Empire " plants acquire a deep greenish color with more widely - spaced blades , almost to the visual grain of a fine St. Augustine grass . It speedily produce via offset ( stems course on the soil open ) as well as by underground rootstalk .
" Zeon " grass plants preserve a sour green people of color redolent of fescue as well as a similar amercement , dense and stocky texture like that of Bermuda grass . It also grow quickly .
Neither " Empire " nor " Zeon " is propagated by source ; they can only be established from twig or sod . The University of Georgia ’s Center for Urban Horticulture note that " Zeon " have high marker for its excellent quality in lawn applications .
Growth Rates
Tolerances
" Empire " stand innate chemical substance resistance to MSMA , 2 - 4 - ergocalciferol and Fusilade II herbicides , making any dope management super easy , according to the Phillip Jennings Turf Farm . It also demonstrate excellent tolerance to drought and oceanside salty wind once well - base in either clay , loam or flaxen soils . With Brazilian origins , " Empire " also has especial leeway to hot up and summer humidity , such as in the American Southeast .
" Zeon " is resistant of drought and sea saltspray . It is known for special tolerance of suspect website in comparison to most other zoysia eatage varieties . " Zeon " is more broad of cool temperatures and Green up earlier in spring and later in drop than " conglomerate . "
Availability
Since neither variety is mature from come , both " Empire " and " Zeon " are sold only by licensed agriculturalist / provider in the United States . This typically imply state certification of the sward turn company to develop and sell the zoysia grass as sprigs or sod . Certification by an sovereign third party insure the grass is truly the variety being deal under the " Empire " or " Zeon " name .
