A Beautiful, Low-Growth Option—When It’s Installed in the Right Place

Zoysia grass is gaining popularity across Burleson and Johnson County, and for good reason. It’s dense, soft underfoot, and offers a lush appearance that’s hard to beat. But like any turfgrass, it has pros and cons—and it’s not the right fit for every lawn.

I’m Aaron Shehan, owner of Burleson Lawn Care and Gro Lawn, and here’s what you need to know before you choose Zoysia.

Types of Zoysia Grass: Thin vs. Wide Blades

There are two main categories of Zoysia, and each behaves a little differently in our Texas climate:

🌱 Thin-Bladed Varieties (Fine Texture)

  • Emerald Zoysia
  • Trinity
  • Zeon
  • Geo

These have a softer feel and more refined appearance, and I personally love how they look. But they do have shorter root systems, which makes them more prone to heat stress and drought damage in the summer. You’ll need consistent watering—especially during extended heat—to avoid hot spots.

⚠️ If those hot spots start to decline, Bermuda grass can invade, and once it does, it’s difficult (and expensive) to remove without damaging the Zoysia.

🍃 Wider-Bladed Varieties (More Durable)

  • JaMur
  • Palisades (most common in North Texas and my preferred Zoysia variety for Burleson)

Wider-bladed types like Palisades Zoysia are better suited to our soil and climate. They still offer a soft, dense lawn but with deeper roots and better heat tolerance than fine-textured types. For most homeowners in Burleson, Palisades offers the best balance of looks, durability, and maintenance.

Zoysia Is Not a Shade Grass

One of the biggest mistakes I see is people installing Zoysia where Bermuda or St. Augustine already failed due to shade. That won’t work.

Zoysia is a full sun grass that can tolerate some partial shade, but if your lawn doesn’t get at least 5–6 hours of direct sunlight, it’s going to thin out over time.

➡️ It should not be used in areas too shaded for Bermuda or St. Augustine.

Zoysia Grass Pros & Cons for Burleson Lawns

✅ Pros:

  • Dense, soft turf with great curb appeal
  • Naturally weed-resistant due to its tight growth habit
  • Slower growth = less mowing
  • Can tolerate more foot traffic than St. Augustine
  • Palisades handles Texas summers better than most zoysia types

⚠️ Cons:

  • Thin-bladed types are shallow-rooted and dry out easily
  • Requires consistent irrigation in summer to avoid hot spots
  • Very slow to repair damage (compared to Bermuda)
  • Bermuda invasion is a serious risk if stressed
  • Removal of Bermuda from Zoysia is possible but time-consuming and costly

Is Zoysia Right for Your Lawn?

If your property gets plenty of sun and you want a dense, low-growth lawn that resists weeds, Zoysia—especially Palisades—may be a great fit. But it’s not a forgiving grass. It’s slow to spread, intolerant of neglect, and doesn’t bounce back quickly like Bermuda does.

Our program at Burleson Lawn Care is designed to keep Zoysia healthy with

  • Proper fertilization based on soil type and grass variety
  • Weed prevention that won’t harm sensitive Zoysia roots
  • Accurate watering recommendations based on real sprinkler output
  • And most importantly: honest assessments before you invest in a grass that might not be right for your property

 “Zoysia can be a beautiful grass, but it’s not bulletproof. I’ll give you the real answer—not the sales pitch—on whether it’ll work for your yard.”

— Aaron Shehan, Practical Agronomist & Owner

📞 Call 1-800-LAWNCARE or visit uglyweeds.com to schedule a lawn evaluation before committing to Zoysia.

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