Jessie Keith
Family
Poaceae
Botanical Name
Zoysia japonica
Plant Common Name
Japanese Lawn Grass, Korean Lawn Grass, Zoysia Grass
General Description
Korean or Japanese lawn grass is a perennial, fine-textured, warm-season grass used as turf in hot climates through the transition zones. It is native to southeastern Asia and has better cold tolerance than other zoysias. Japanese lawn grass spreads by stolons (above ground lateral stems) and rhizomes (underground later stems) and forms dense turf. The leaves are slightly hairy and are the most coarse-textured of the zoysias. Japanese lawn grass is normally bright green but turns a distinctive straw color when dormant from winter cold or seasonal drought.
Zoysia is very tolerant of most soils, needing full sun, though it can take a small amount of shade in hot climates. It is drought tolerant; however, drought tolerance is relative: regular applications of water are necessary to maintain an acceptable turf. Zoysia is also salt tolerant, moderately wear-tolerant and slow growing.
Zoysia may be planted by plugs and sod, only a few zoysia species and hybrids may be planted by seed. Mowing with a reel mower provides the best results, though a rotary mower with very sharp blades is satisfactory. Mow most varieties at one and a half to two inches high. Thatch and pests can be serious problems for zoysia lawns and due to slow growth zoysia does not recover well from the damage. Zoysia grass produces a dense grass good for golf courses, parks and athletic fields as well as residential and commercial lawns. For more information about maintaining zoysia visit the Learn2Grow lawn section at http://www.learn2grow.com/gardeningguides/lawns.aspx .
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 11
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Sunset Zone
7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Grass
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
1"-3" / 2.5cm - 7.6cm
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Native To
Southeastern Asia, China, Japan
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Salt
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Mat-forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Light Yellow, Tan
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Semi-Evergreen
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Showy Bark
No
