Drought Tolerant Grass Meets Green Building Standards

A drought tolerant grass called UltimateFlora Zoysia that was developed by the University of Florida for use on home lawns meets Green Building standards, according to the Florida Green Building Coalition, the association that coordinates the Green Building program around the state.

Developed by UF to replace St. Augustine grass and marketed by Environmental Turf, UltimateFlora Zoysia is the first and only lawn grass to date recognized by the FGBC as suitable for use in achieving a home’s Green Home Certification.

The grasses’ environmentally friendly qualities helped it to earn the certification status. UltimateFlora Zoysia requires less water for irrigation than St. Augustine grass and has built-in mechanisms to help it withstand drought conditions. It also has a finer, softer leaf blade than St. Augustine grass, providing the look of a Northern-type lawn. UltimateFlora™ Zoysia is tolerant of most herbicides and resists the Chinch bug insect that attacks and kills St. Augustine grass.

Homeowners or builders seeking Green Home Certification may install UltimateFlora Zoysia in a home’s lawn and receive two points toward their certification. UltimateFlora Zoysia’s low water use attributes qualified for the certification under Category 2 for water, part 16 for drought tolerant turf in the  installed landscape.

UltimateFlora Zoysia is also the first and only turfgrass to date to be included in FGBC’s FIND GREEN searchable database.

“Industry professionals and consumers often find it difficult to identify and locate green building products. The FGBC online searchable green resource directory helps simplify the process,” says Suzanne Cook, executive director of the Florida Green Building Coalition. “It includes environmentally preferable products, professional services and listings of all the FGBC certified projects.”