Mascarene Grass, Fine-leaf Manila Temple Grass

I grew this grass while living in Santa Cruz County, CA, within 1/2 block of the ocean. Most winters it would go dormant, but not always...Read More. Being so close to the ocean, it would take a long time to green up in the spring. Further inland (and hotter), I would see it green while mine was still yellow. Beautiful as a ground cover in Japanese gardens.

I recently bought a house with Korean Grass planted in most of the front yard. For the most part, it is very attractive, and I get frequ...Read Moreent compliments from people walking by. But it has large areas that are brown/straw colored, and I have not been able to find any information about the possible cause. I don't think it is dormant because it never freezes in my area - winter lows are usually in high 40s to 50s, and it is now the end of April and it looks the same - very green but with large brown patches. A neighbor told me it was planted about 15 years ago, and it has invaded flower beds and is slowly taking over. Also, it seems to have a lot of thatch, but can't be successfully mowed, from what I have read.

Also known as Korean Grass. This is the finest-textured of the zoysias but is also the least cold hardy. Prone to excessive thatch.