Bingo for blue grama! Using this and info from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower center, I am going to use part of the property to make a wildflower meadow using buffalo grass and blue grama mixed with native wildflower seeds. That should be pretty spectacular and nearly maintenance free once established! They also have info on using tall grasses. I think I'd like to make an area for some of them if I can figure out how to incorporate them into the landscape. This might be phase 3 or 4 or 5! I will have to check into vetiver. Once again - another type of grass I have never heard of! This has certainly been an eye opening experience. I had no idea there were so many types of grass - although it makes sense once you stop and think about it! Texas-weed - I want to do as little maintenance of grass as I can get away with. There will be a lot of it on 2 acres and I would much rather spend my time on the veggies and fruit trees. I have already been informed that I will get no help with anything green outdoors, so this middle-aged woman needs to plan carefully! I will probably buy a little tractor to help out, but I am intimidated at the thought of driving it. I'll have to get over that! But I do have a secret plan - invite men over when I need to drive it around! I suspect I will get a little help - at least the first year! On the plus side, my husband will do maintenance on the tractor. That sounds like fun to him - go figure! My current house does not have a blade of grass on it. I ran over my foot with a lawn mower when I was a kid and haven't gone near one since. I took the coward's way out and planted all shrubbery, ground covers, and gardens at the place where I have been living for the last 25 years. Time to grow up! Once again, thank you to everyone. I am amazed at how much my thinking has evolved in just a week. Cheers!

Per www.mswn.com/Plant Info Sheets/Vetiveria zizanoides.pdf, VETIVER GRASS, VETIVERIA ZIZANOIDES, Vetiver is Zone 9, clump grass, growing to about 5 feet tall and wide, that is cut back annually in the spring. Is this what you were considering? SIZE (H X W) 5-8 feet x 5-8 feet FLOWER COLOR None FLOWER SEASON None WATER Low to Moderate GROWTH RATE Fast HARDINESS 25º F, USDA Zone 9 PRUNING To Rejuvenate

Vetiver will grow under very hot conditions. Plant in full sunlight, water at planting, and thereafter once a week until well established - you cannot over water!. I would mix some well rotted compost or chicken manure into the planting hole at time of planting. should grow very well. You will find more about vetiver at: http://www.vetiver.org Good luck Here is a link that might be useful: Vetiver Network International

I would like to add some: It is about vetiver oil In India, vetiver has been cultivated to prevent soil erosion during heavy rains. The vetiver grass itself is used for thatching and for weaving mats. Vetiver is also used to make blinds for windows and awnings, taking advantage of its insect-repellent properties. The vetiver oil is derived from the plantÂs spongy, white net of roots, which are steam distilled after having been dried and chopped, producing the essential oil. Depending on the source, vetiver oil varies in color from brown or deep amber to olive green. The scent, which also varies depending on the source, can be described as woody or earthy, similar to patchouli oil. It is possible to identify the oilÂs origin by color and smell.