Zoysia tenuifolia: an alternative “English” lawn
on Nov 29 2023
Zoysia tenuifolia is the ideal alternative lawn for those who do not want to give up the appearance of a classic English lawn, but with all the benefits of a low-water-use lawn. It is, in fact, a grass that provides a thick, soft, and tread-resistant carpet. Similar to the classic grass cover of traditional gardens, it is ideal for areas of the garden that are walked on barefoot, and is, in fact, also used for foot massage.
This characteristic makes it the ideal variety for all areas of the garden that can be walked on barefoot, such as poolside - it is resistant to salt and chlorine! - in children's play areas and in areas where yoga or tai chi is practiced.
The characteristics of Zoysia tenuifolia
The soft and delicate appearance of Zoysia should not deceive: it is actually a very resistant variety, loving full sun and not afraid of drought. If heavy foot traffic, salt spray, and chlorine do not scare it, the only situation in which its choice needs to be carefully evaluated is in areas with a harsh climate. Zoysia, in fact, is not cold-tolerant and, although it is able to withstand low temperatures down to -5/-10°C, being a warm-season grass, it will tend to lose its bright green color with the arrival of the cold.
Like Dymondia margaretae, Zoysia should also be used on its own and not mixed with other alternative lawn varieties. However, there are some cases in which contact with other plants can be an opportunity to enrich the garden. In our park, for example, dwarf clover grows spontaneously, which adds a bit of green to this lawn even during the winter period, when Zoysia tends to turn yellow. Furthermore, dwarf clover does not create competition during its life, which will inevitably end at the beginning of summer, and manages to store considerable amounts of nitrogen in the soil, enriching and feeding the lawn seedlings.
Planting and maintenance of Zoysia tenuifolia
For this variety, we recommend planting at least 20 seedlings per square meter, since Zoysia is slower than other varieties, taking up to 12-24 months to cover the entire surface. We also recommend a spring planting for Zoysia tenuifolia because, being a warm-season grass, it tends to grow more and more slowly as temperatures drop. The ideal planting window is in spring, at the time when the lawn will face the warm months that will allow it to grow and root correctly.
In areas with a mild climate, planting can also be done in autumn: usually, good results are obtained in the Islands and Southern Italy, but to understand what the best period is, it is always recommended to request personalized advice. In areas with a harsher climate, however, we recommend waiting until spring for planting.
During the establishment phase, the lawn will need to be watered infrequently but with abundant amounts of water. The watering frequency of Zoysia tenuifolia, in this first phase, should be assessed independently, ensuring that the roots of the seedlings do not remain too dry. Once the first year of life has passed, the lawn can be watered once or twice a year, with important quantities, about 20-25 millimeters. As for maintenance, however, it is preferable to perform 2 to 6 mowings throughout the year.
Zoysia tenuifolia is a low-water-use lawn that is versatile and resistant, suitable to meet the specific needs of highly frequented and walked-on gardens. To buy Zoysia tenuifolia and discover all its characteristics, visit our shop.
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