Deep roots allow it to tolerate heat and drought. The hybrids, notably Tifway and Tifgreen, were developed for Southern golf courses. Although these hybrids look great, they require above-average nurturing that includes regular thatch removal. Improved varieties like Cheyenne, Del Sol, Primavera, Sahara, Sonesta, Sultan and Yuma are far less prone to thatch accumulation. And compared with the old common Bermuda grass, they offer better color, slightly improved density and finer texture.
Zoysia is a good choice for most Southern lawns.
It can be slow to get going, but once established, it forms a relatively low-maintenance lawn that tolerates traffic, heat and drought. Older, coarse-bladed varieties like Meyer go dormant and turn brown early in winter and are slow to green up in spring. Improved varieties like De Anza, El Toro, Emerald and Victoria are planted by plugs or sprigs and offer faster-growing, quicker greening in spring and a finer texture. Even newer seed varieties include Zen 300 and Zenith. Better cold tolerance keeps these grasses green longer.