The green industry is torn between establishing one standard between “zoysiagrass” as a compound word, or representing the grass as two separate words, “zoysia grass.“ When we ran a survey across LinkedIn and Twitter, our results were split firmly in the middle. Currently, both are considered the correct spellings for the same type of grass.
Why the difference in spelling?
In general, the compound form “zoysiagrass” tends to be more common in technical and scientific contexts, while the two-word form “zoysia grass” is often used in more casual or general contexts. Ultimately, both forms are considered acceptable.
What is zoysia grass?
Zoysia grass is a warm-season grass. It was first discovered in Asia by a German botanist named Georg Zois, who was the cousin of Austrian botanist, Karl von Zois. When Georg Zois brought the grass back to Europe, he named it after his cousin Karl in recognition of his contributions to botany, hence the name “zoysia.” It was first introduced to the United States in the late 1800s as an ornamental grass for lawns and golf courses. Nowadays, zoysia grass has become popular for its ability to thrive in a variety of soil and climate conditions, its tolerance for drought and heat, and its resistance to pests and diseases. While there are many different varieties of zoysia grass, our two favorite varieties are Zeon Zoysia and Prizm Zoysia.
Zeon Zoysia is a fine-bladed, dark green grass that is known for its shade tolerance, disease resistance, and low fertility and maintenance requirements. It has a fine texture and a soft feel underfoot, making it ideal for residential lawns and commercial landscapes. Zeon Zoysia is also commonly used for golf course fairways and tees and sports fields.
Prizm Zoysia, on the other hand, is a newer variety that was originally developed specifically for golf course greens. It has a finer texture than Zeon Zoysia and a much denser root system. It has unique versatility at lower mowing heights allowing it to produce a tournament level putting green surface as well as superior tees and fairways eliminating the need for multiple cultivars. Prizm Zoysia has excellent shade tolerance and a high level of wear resistance. It’s a great new option for golf courses, sports fields and high-end residential.
The main difference between Zeon Zoysia and Prizm Zoysia is their texture, density and intended use. Both grasses are known for their low fertility and maintenance requirements, disease resistance, and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions. Whether you prefer the singular “zoysiagrass” or the separated words “zoysia grass” one thing’s for sure, you’re dealing with a superior turfgrass. Browse our website to learn more about zoysia grass and other varieties of turfgrass to get the perfect fit for your needs.