Empire Vs. Zeon

maryhern – posted 04 May 2011 07:59

I live in north Atlanta. My yard is very shadey. I am sodding my entire backyard. I decided on Zeon zoysia since I read it was the most shade tolerent. My landscaper put down Empire when I was out of town. He is trying to convince me that he is giving me a better variety for the conditions in my yard. Is he being honest? He will replace with Zeon if I insist. Anyone have any knowlege of which is best?

mrmumbels – posted 04 May 2011 20:03

After reading around, they seem to both have good points and bad points. For what it’s worth I have ultimate flora zoysia which has a thin blade like zeon and my empire took it .

Stan – posted 05 May 2011 11:59

Could you go into more detail? Took it – meaning it took over the Pristine. Was it in the shade and is it fairly thick (empire). Could you post pictures?

mrmumbels – posted 05 May 2011 19:20

Sorry, it looks like my post got cut off somehow. My empire took over my ultimate flora zoysia. I planted the UFZ under a live oak but the spot that it took over is in full sun.

Empire is crazy thick! Kids could probably almost walk on top of it when it’s super healthy

Here’s a few pics of when my root issues first started.

http://coffeebrandy.com/pics/zoysia/

Stan – posted 09 May 2011 12:00

MM, did you ever determine the root problem? Seeing the lighter color, smaller leaf size, and density reminds me more of the El Toro sample I have. My Empire sample has wider darker blades and it remains more open or will grow more of an open canopy reminding me of centipede ie: how you can see some of the ground when looking straight down. I’m no expert and it’s hard to judge by photos.

mrmumbels – posted 09 May 2011 14:52

quote:Originally posted by Stan:MM, did you ever determine the root problem? Seeing the lighter color, smaller leaf size, and density reminds me more of the El Toro sample I have. My Empire sample has wider darker blades and it remains more open or will grow more of an open canopy reminding me of centipede ie: how you can see some of the ground when looking straight down. I’m no expert and it’s hard to judge by photos.

I’m pretty much positive it’s from a water shortage due to no organic material in my sand. I’ve done multiple tests of cutting out a square of sod and mixing the sand below with alfalfa and 90% of the test show dark green healthy results a week later.

I did a search on centipede and they do look a bit alike except for the way the blade comes off the runner. It’s definatley zosyia I can spot this stuff a mile away now

[This message has been edited by mrmumbels (edited 09 May 2011).]

[This message has been edited by mrmumbels (edited 09 May 2011).]

Stan – posted 09 May 2011 23:17

I know you have zoysia but I was wondering if you were sure you have Empire and not El Toro or other zoysia? Empire has the widest blades I have seen.

mrmumbels – posted 11 May 2011 08:33

As far as I know it’s empire. It looks exactly like all the other empire I’ve seen. Are you looking at the bad pics of it? The pics with no roots have the blades rolled up a bit.

awin4me – posted 12 May 2011 00:11

Mary,

You paid for Zeon, tell your landscaper to pull it up and replace the Empire with what you wanted. He screwed up and is trying to do whatever it takes so he doesn’t have to eat that money. Empire is not the best for a shaded yard, it’ll grow but be thin.