In June/July Garden Design was an article on alternative lawns. I'm very interested in trying something that doesn't have to be mowed or watered. They sugested for New Mexico and Texas: Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama grass) and for Southeast, including Texas: Carex alba-lutescens (Florida meadow sedge); Carex perdentata (Texas hill sedge); Carex texensis (Texas sedge). Have any of you tried these or any other plants? I'd like to know what worked well and what didn't. I live on the Gulf Coast which might influence what I would use.
alternative lawns, ideas for Texas
I have buffalo grass (simular to gama but a bit longer). I usually cut it 3 times a year. It does go completely dormate in the winter so if you don't like brown it isn't for you.
Buffalo grass is only good in sun - be sure to buy seeds or plants from a nearby source to get the best results in your yard. "118" and "609" are considered excellent turf south of Ft. Davis TX, according to my source.
Sedges can be grown in shade and sometimes in sun. I have not tried them yet as a lawn, but I believe I have three different kinds growing in my woods. In order to grow them as a lawn, I would have to rake the leaves when they fall. I hear they are evergreen, but I have not had this land long enough to know.
Again, it is good to get your sedges from as local a source as possible. Commercially, I have only found Carex perdentata from a CA source, and they couldn't ship to TX. I found Carex texensis in two places in TX - both sold only plants and both were wholesalers selling to landscapers. Sedge seed is not reliable to germinate - it is easier to divide plants and let them creep. Very well behaved, however.
One guy I talked to was very animated about sedges - how nice they are as lawns and how under-rated they were commercially.
Hope you set a trend in your neighborhood.
Thanks indirt, When is the best time to try to begin these lawns?
You are asking someone new to this, too. I hope that if I am wrong that someone else will step in and correct me.
My book Easy Lawns by Brooklyn Botanic Garden and talking with the wholesalers and seed supply say for sedge spring or fall, but for buffalo, late spring.
Make sure you have killed everything else off to allow for these natives to grow. Will have to continue to pull weeds until established.
BTW if you find Carex perdentata commercially in TX - either retail or wholesale, let me know.
I am very happy with the new Prestige buffalo grass; it is for southern humid gardens
http://www.toddvalleyfarms.com/store/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=20
I don't think that it goes dormant in your zone
Your link provides nice pictures of what a buffalo lawn could look like and it looks like Prestige is a nice cultivar. I hope your neighbors are envious enough to give it a try, too.
The nursery link you gave, however, is in Nebraska. Perhaps your plants traveled well for your area and this nursery is extra careful and similar to your climate, but where I live in the western part of central TX, it is better to find a closer nursery. The micro climates make a big difference out here even with the same specie/cultivar plants or seed. It is not a sales pitch to buy Texan, it is simply how it is - I have found the hard way that it is so.
In addition to the 118 and the 609, Topgun is also considered an excellent performer in the south. It is usually available in seed form.