Kurapia is a newly developed, highly versatile groundcover equally suited for both commercial and residential applications. Once established, it requires little maintenance and needs less water than cool season turf grasses. Kurapia is an excellent turf alternative for the California drought!
Kurapia is a low growing, herbaceous, perennial dicot groundcover belonging to the Verbanaceae or Verbena family. Its sturdy structure makes it ideal for many uses. Kurapia works well to cover highway and freeway shoulders, rooftops, public utility areas, commercial properties and solar farm landscapes. Kurapia can tolerate light foot traffic but is not recommended for heavy traffic areas like playgrounds or sports fields.
Kurapia grows close to the ground and rarely exceeds one inch high. Most of the year, the plant is covered in small, white flowers that are sterile, which means it is unable to reproduce by seed.
Kurapia was bred from the native plant Lippia nodiflora found in the coastal regions of Japan. It is found to be highly tolerant of saline, acidic and basic soils. Kurapia has already revolutionized landscape management in Japan and is set to provide solutions for landscape management and engineering around the world.
Kurapia is adapted to climate zones of 7b and higher. In regions where average daily temperatures remain above 45°F, Kurapia will stay evergreen. However, growth will gradually decrease and enter dormancy when average daily temperatures fall to around 38°F. It has been known to survive a temporary drop in temperature as low as 13°F. These temperatures are provided as estimates, as Kurapia appearance, dormancy and survival will depend upon specific location and environmental factors.
name: Lippia nodiflora L. 'Kurapia'
common name: Kurapia
plant type: Perennial
growth habit: Prostrate, Sterile, Non-Invasive
planting season: Best in March to September
flower: Small, White, May to November
height: Low growing, less than 3" high
width: Spreading to 6'
exposure: Full sun to part shade
drought tolerant: 20% ETo by drip, 40% ETo by overhead
pH tolerance: pH 4-9
salinity tolerance: Up to EC 7ds/m
temperature: 20 - 120°F
USDA hardiness zones: 7B - 15