Well, this comparison guide will help a lot to find out. "Zeon" is a variety of Manila grass (Zoysia matrella). Nara is suitable for all the warmer regions of Australia, as well as some temperate crossover areas as well. Zenith also works fine in full sun to medium shade. On the other hand, Zenith has a medium size blade leaf with a coarse texture, similar to tall fescue. "El Toro" resists most diseases, while "Zenith" is susceptible to patch and rust diseases. Zoysia grass will overgrow other types of grass if used as a filler, especially Fescue grasses. Any advice or guidance would be appreciated. Sod Bluegrass Rye Blend Read more. For more information see Cooperative Extension Service Leaflet No. They are both low-maintenance grasses that require little fertilizer; however, they require some essential maintenance to keep them looking their best. 100% Pure Seed Grown by Patten Seed . The leaf texture of Palisades Zoysia is not as coarse as Empire. Just the Facts, Actaea Simplex Brunette: Growth and Care Guide. [5] It is a popular choice for fairways and teeing areas at golf courses. What are Some Natural Deer Repellents That I Can Use in My Garden? Both compadre and zenith zoysia are great choices for those looking for tough, drought-resistant grass. Cover them with a layer of soil, mulch or compost that is less than 1/4 inch deep. Both have unique benefits and drawbacks, so it can be tough to decide which is right for you. Its slow growth rate allows for mowing every couple of weeks, unlike Bermuda grass that must be cut every week to maintain a well-kept look. Use a thin layer of organic Soil3 compost to increase a good establishment. Emerald will develop excess thatch rather quickly if over-fertilized, and is prone to winter injury northward from the Columbia area. Other Factors. Most Zoysia japonicas have a thin to medium blade width. Empire zoysia has broaderleaves, is more aggressive than Meyer or El Toro and is available through licensed growers only. The others must be established by planting plugs. "Zenith" does poorly in wet or boggy areas. Zenith has some of the higher end tolerance under cold temps and stress when it comes to Zoysia. Its not as durable when it comes to cold weather but will still perform fairly well against other grass types. Whether Zoysia is right for you depends on where you live, your lawn care goals and how you use your lawn. The zoysiagrasses are (1) slow to cover completely, thus more costly to establish; (2) less drought-tolerant than Common bermudagrass; and (3) recommended for lawn use only when the homeowner is willing to provide the required maintenance. It requires less mowing and fertilizer and is also less likely to have thatch build-up. Once they are down, rolling the area again will allow the roots to connect with the soil. Where Do Squirrels Go At Night? This patch is just riddled full of weeds but dont consider too much. However, empire zoysia requires less watering than el toro. This can take time but, once established, will produce a lawn similar to that planted with sod squares. Although in ideal conditions, Zoysia can fully grow and cover the lawn in one year, but more often than not, it would take 2 to 3 years for its full growth and coverage. Both Zeon and Zenith grass need less watering because both are drought tolerant. SOd establishment takes about 8 weeks. While zoysia as a whole is a vigorous grower, Empire trumps out El Toro when it comes to filling up yard space. Zoysia - Compare Varieties. Even though Cavalier looks fricking stinking beautiful Zeon just has a tiny bit more advantage over that Cavalier from what Ive seen. Before working with us, Mill used to work for some writing agencies. Besides, Mill often assisted his nearby lawn care service providers and had a great experience in making a landscape at ones best. Legal: Inspiring Yard may not be reproduced or distributed for any purpose without our written consent. Compadre vs Zenith Zoysia: Final Thoughts, Zeon Zoysia vs Bermuda: Which Grass is Right For Your Lawn, Poa Trivialis vs Bentgrass: Telling Them Apart, What Planting Zone is Illinois in? In fact, Clemson University Cooperative Extension points out that zoysia prefers temperatures between 80 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, the edges of the zenith zoysia leaves are more smooth, while the edges of the compadre zoysia leaves are more jagged. Zoysia is far slower to grow and fill up the lawn compared to Bermuda grass. It has a dark green color, a very fine leaf texture, good shade tolerance, high shoot density, and a low growth habit. The Empire yards seem to have more thatch issues but appear to be more drought tolerate, and more traffic resistant. Free shipping. Houstondude - posted 06 September 2005 09:32. The zoysias form a dense, attractive turf in full sun and partial shade, but may thin out in dense shade. Sugar Cane vs. Bamboo: Which is Right for Your Garden? Zones 5b to 11a on the 2012 Plant Hardiness Zone Map or Zones 1-4 on . Most popular varieties of Zoysia matrella include: Zoysia macrantha is a native Zoysia grass which has its origins on the coasts of Queensland, which also make macrantha an extremely salt hardy Zoysia type. Regarding the performance of Zeon Zoysia vs Zenith Zoysia, Zeon is considered . However, the blades are soft and blend well with each other. That site is a must-see. The main downside of compadre zoysia is that it has a slower growth rate and can take longer to fill in bare spots or establish a new lawn. It is a Hybrid Zoysia between Zoysia tenuifolia and Zoysia japonica and was introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1955. The Zeon Zoysia vs. Emerald Zoysia's tug of war never has a distinct winner - because they're head-to-head and suit every user for personal preferences. Origins The zoysia grass variety "Empire" is a type of Japanese lawn grass (Zoysia japonica). But both types of grass are considered low-maintenance and drought tolerant and have fine blade texture. Zoysia japonica is the most widely used of the Zoysia family, and along with Macrantha is the most suitable Zoysia lawn outside of the tropics. I dont know what the growth characteristics are as far as shade, drought tolerance, and just density and stuff like that, ease of maintenance. Can you take plugs from your existing turf? El toro has a denser texture, which makes it tougher against pressure and everyday wear and tear. Her previous jobs include reporter, photographer and editor for a weekly newspaper. Unlike Zeon sod, emerald zoysia reaches this height by mowing every 7 to 10 days. Meyer Zoysia also known as Z-52, has been a successful medium bladed zoysia grass for over 60 years throughout the southern United States. 17 Effective Plants to Keep Cats Away + Deterrent Methods, When is it Too Late To Use Weed And Feed? "Zenith" tolerates frost better. Compared to Zenith, Zeon is a golf grass with an extreme tolerance to heat and shade; it also has a higher resistance to disease and insect attacks. As well as to then further encourage the ongoing breeding and development of Zoysia japonica into many new and improved strains. They can form dense mats and even mounds that grow over low features. Although it can be difficult to establish, once it is thriving it needs little in the way of maintenance. "El Toro" should be mowed weekly to keep it at 1 to 2 inches tall. Zoysia grass is known for its ability to stand up to heat, drought, heavy foot traffic and a variety of other challenges. Zenith Zoysia Grass Seed (2 Lb.) The variety is patented and must be sold as certified grass by licensed growers. Ive got to check this, Ive got to learn more about that grass. When my Zoysia came in, I did not realize there were so many cultivars. Zoysia prefers a neutral pH of roughly 6.5 but will tolerate anything between 5.8 and 7.0. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture, Conservation Garden Bee, Butterfly and Beneficial Insects, Event Coordination, Training, Workshops, and the Green Team, Agent Development and Master Gardener Training, Connecting Students to Urban Agricultural Careers, Master Gardeners Increase Capacity: Advanced Training in Homeowner Integrated Pest Management, Pizza Farm: Connecting Urban Youth with Georgias Agriculture and Good Nutrition, Tools and Tactics to Enhance IPM Adoption by Small Vegetable Market Growers and Home Horticulturists, Turfgrass Worker Training The Key to Sustainable, Healthy Turfgrass, UGA Urban Forestry Issue Team Compounds the Impact of their Trainings, Center Technology: Meeting Industry, Extension, and Consumer Needs, Distance Diagnostics Through Digital Imaging System, Sustainable Strategies Support Cut Flower Production, Online Study Tools for Professional Certification, Professional Improvement for Landscapers and Nurserymen, Safety Training for Landscape and Tree Care Workers: Good for Workers and Good for Business, Pesticide Applicator Recertification New Certification New Resources, Tree Cleanup and Chainsaw Safety for Disaster Relief, Cleanscapes: Landscapes, Septic Systems, and You, Journeyman Farmer Certificate Program Developing the Next Generation of Sustainable Farmers in Georgia, Southern Regional Integrated Pest Management, UGA Faculty Contribute to National eXtension Collaborative Efforts, 40 Gallon Challenge Water Conservation Program, Irrigation Contractors Offer Many Systems and Many Prices, Irrigation Installation: Dont Forget to Include the Cost of Water in the Bid, Landsapes, septic systems, and Master Gardeners, Our Landscape, Our Stream, Our Watershed: A Multi-State Advanced Master Gardener Program Addresses Urban Water Issues, Healthy Life Community Garden Local Food, Local Food, Local Impact Healthy Life Community Garden, Distance Diagnostics through Digital Imaging, Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program, Grasscycling: Feed Your Landscape, Not the Landfill, Winterizing Trees: Dormant Season Preparations. Both El Toro and Empire zoysia grass can take a lot of punishment in the foot traffic aspect. So Im going to go with Zeon every single time. Daily watering for first 14 days after planting. This new turf named Nara now grows at a faster speed than it had done prior to development and breeding, and produces a lush, green, highly durable and tough lawn which is suitable for many different applications including home lawns, public areas and business frontages. NTEP 2002 tests of zoysia color and texture in the southern zone that includes Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Missouri, Texas and New Mexico, ranked "Zenith" fifth best zoysia and "Compadre" sixth best. Types of Grass That Can Be Planted in Late Fall & Early Winter, The Best Nitrogen Fertilizers for St. Augustine Lawns, University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension: Zoysiagrass, Clemson University Cooperative Extension: Zoysiagrass, University of Florida IFAS Extension: Zoysiagrass for Florida Lawns, SuperSod.com: Zenith Zoysia Turfgrass Tech Sheet, How to grow your own herb garden in any indoor or outdoor space. Both withstand wear and traffic, but "Zenith" grows slowly and takes longer to recover. [6][7], Because they can tolerate wide variations in temperature, sunlight, and water, zoysia are widely used for lawns in temperate climates. 'Meyer' has a wider leaf than 'Emerald' and has good cold tolerance. Zoysia, and especially newer cultivars like Innovation, also require less fertilizer or pest treatments to . 395, Zoysiagrass Lawns. As a result, they are two of the best choices for those looking for a low-maintenance lawn. When drought water restrictions come about, however, it's a good choice for home lawns. "El Toro," like most zoysia grasses, is sold as sod or plugs. Check out Zoysia Farms for a complete selection of products. Emerald (fine blade) and Empire (course blade) are both very nice and do well in N. Florida. Zoysias (Empire, & Zorro): Pros: Best Feature - Overall the best turf grasses available Empire Zoysia has the same level of shade tolerance as Raleigh St. Augustine shown with clinical field trials Dark Green and slow to damage Most traffic tolerant of all Most winter hardy with deep rhizomes Most salt tolerant of all There are some key differences when talking about the leaf structure of zenith zoysia compared to compadre zoysia. Sod plugs are planted approximately 8 to 10 inches apart and must grow together leaving bare areas in the yard until each spot of grass grows enough to fill in the spaces. Bermuda grasses are often the go-to for many homeowners. Is it TARR or just bad idea of Winter Rye? Of the three commercially available zoysia species, Zoysia mantrella, Zoysia tenifolia and Zoysia japonica, only Zoysia japonica is available in seeded cultivars. Water requirements for this Zoysia hybrid are low to average, and the grass shows a particular dislike to being over-fertilised, which is common with all Zoysia grasses. Instead, tenuifolia should be used for all those other areas where a more natural appearance or no wear lawn is wanted or required. But, if youre looking for something different, two popular types you can choose from are compadre and zenith zoysia. For starters, zenith zoysia has a broader leaf blade while compadre zoysia has a more narrow leaf blade. Zenith Zoysia. It features excellent wear tolerance, requires less mowing and chemical applications, and is chinch bug resistant. Zoysia grass should be cut once every 5-7 days to give you the standard . Zoysia grasses stop erosion on slopes, and are excellent at repelling weeds throughout the year. Among many other differences, Zenon Zoysia has a medium green color. Zeon zoysia is a vegetatively produced zoysia that is fine textured like Emerald Zoysia but produces less thatch. It needs full sun to thrive but will do well when partial sun is available as long as it gets adequate moisture. Zenith Zoysia (Zoysia Zenith) Grass 5000 Seeds, You will receive pack of 5000 seeds of Grass Seeds. This is just a little sample patch they have up here. Zeon and Zenith grass lawns are two of the most popular grasses used for lawns. The Zoysia matrella family is most suitable for the tropical regions, and will not tolerate colder Winters whatsoever. We're operating at full capacity for you and your family. Review some of the other blog posts I have written. Go to the NTEP site and look at the huge disparity between grasses grown in Texas/OK versus Maryland for example. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. So Crown and Palisades you cant even tell the difference. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/LH/LH01100.pdf, Understand what kind of mower you will use determines the height determines the cultivar. In practice I have seen Emerald do better visually, but those folks have rotary mowers, perfectly flat yards and no kids. Of the two turfgrasses, St. Augustine grass is cheaper and easier to establish and maintain while zoysia is a little costlier with a much more frequent maintenance schedule. In terms of maintenance, compadre zoysia is the clear winner. 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