If any of this is for wildlife, I suggest not using grass at all but rather use all forbs (wildflowers). Most grasses (natives as well as introduced grasses) are very agressive and will quickly dominate an area. Contrary to popular opinion, in general, there are NO grasses that are really good for most wildlife species.

For those familiar with the Conservation Reserve Program, you know that the NRCS now allows farmers to disk and severly set back grasses every 5 years to provide better wildlife habitat.

I don't know about the deep South but in other areas, I suggest a combination of Maximillian Sunflower, Illinois Bundleflower, Canada Milkvetch, Purple Coneflower, Grayhead Coneflower, Purple Prairieclover, Plains Coreopis and Showy Partridge Pea. These are all natives. If you want to add some non-natives, Chickory, Sweetclover, Dames Rocket and Shasta Daisy might work also. Many people use Canada Wildrye as a quick establishing grass cover crop. Keep in mind that depending on the area, any plant can become very agressive and weedy.

Norm Kopecky