Dense, dark-green turf with a medium blade
Empire is a medium-bladed, dark-green zoysia with a soft, dense appearance. It suits homeowners who want a substantial lawn texture and a slower mowing rhythm than vigorous Bermuda during summer growth.
What makes Empire Zoysia different?
Sod Solutions identifies wear tolerance and a dense canopy as defining traits. NC State groups Empire with coarser zoysias that recover faster than older slow-growing types. Worn areas still need time to recover, especially outside active growth.
Living with this lawn in the Carolinas
Expect strong summer growth and normal brown winter dormancy. Dense zoysia tolerates everyday wear, but repairs more gradually than Bermuda. For established Empire lawns, a mowing height of 1–2 inches is a practical starting range; adjust for your lawn and mower to avoid scalping. Sharp blades keep the leaf tips clean. Full sun to light shade is the starting point, with actual daily light assessed for your yard.
New sod needs prompt watering and moist soil beneath the pieces while roots grow. As the sod anchors, water less often and more deeply. Our care guide explains the checks rather than prescribing one timer setting for every yard.
Compare your options
Compare Empire with finer-textured Innovation or medium-coarse Palisades. For a frequently used sunny play space, Bermuda is also worth considering; for winter green color in suitable Piedmont sites, look at tall fescue.
Compare all grass choices · Zoysia overview · Charlotte services · Raleigh services
Plan delivery or installation
Tell us about your sunlight, lawn size and how you use the property. We help select the grass, plan delivery or installation, and confirm the cultivar and project scope with your quote.
Sources: Sod Solutions: EMPIRE Zoysia and NC State Extension: Carolina Lawns.