We want to cover the backyard with rock and have a "cut-out" where the grass will go.

Is that all? Where is your landscape imagination? I see your backyard is in Arizona. Nothing else about it is known. I can assure you however, a cut out of Bermuda grass surrounded by rock is not your only option for landscaping your backyard. Even in Arizona.

LOL, we are not rock stars and not looking for water falls or anything. For now, we just want rock, shrubs and such around the back yard, a tree or two, but an "area" of grass and I don't want the Bermuda to spread outside of the yard. Thanks for your comments!

We are in the lower desert, San Tan Valley area. We plan to have a few paths, maybe a Gazebo, a garden. What else do you need to know?

A couple of comments. First, Bermuda spreads mostly from runners, a pre-emergent works by inhibiting seed germination, so that is the wrong approach to eradicating Bermuda. Second, I think your plans to have an island of grass will work perfectly if you pour a solid concrete curb around the area. With that in place you should have no problem containing Bermuda. If you just ring the area with rocks you will never contain it. After that just mow it short, give it fertilizer and full sun and you will have the perfect lawn for Arizona.

Fake grass. AKA artificial lawn. It could work really well for your requirements.

Sad to say, Bermuda grass spreads by above ground stolons, underground rhizomes and by seed. I'd use something else.

I'll second the suggestion for artificial turf. In an area that experiences the heat and aridity of AZ, maintaining a small patch of turf grass just doesn't make very good sense. And even less so when considering the aggressively spreading nature of Bermuda!!

Artificial turf is certainly an option but Bermuda is a great solution. It just needs active management and a few conditions. It has to be contained by a solid perimeter like concrete or mortared brick or stone. But once you have that it’s easy to keep it in check with a weekly trim. And it has to be mowed regularly so it doesn’t have a chance to grow seed heads. That’s it, and now you have a vigorous lawn that will stand up to pets, kids and the heat.

And a small patch of turf makes more sense than a big lawn. It uses less water, takes less effort, but you still have something green and living. Buy a push lawn mower and get some exercise and avoid the hassle of a gas mower.

And go with a named variety. Tifgreen has been around for 40 years, there are probably others, they have finer blades and have a nicer look.

Like I said, you can actively manage a patch of grass in the hot desert sun with weekly trimming, mowing, watering and fussing or you can relax in the shade of a lush green living oasis with a nice beverage while listening to the gentle sounds of your rock star fountain. Your choice.

Christopher how much do you know about living in the desert? A “lush green oasis” is going to take considerably more water and attention in Phoenix than a small patch of Bermuda grass.

The desert flora of the American south west is more than capable of designing a lush green oasis with significantly less water and chemicals than a lawn. It will take more skill that is for sure.

I’m pretty familiar with the American desert southwest, having lived and gardened here my whole life. I’m also very familiar with desert oases. They aren’t the same thing, an oasis has water, most of the desert does not. Maybe you’re using a non standard definition.

Yes I suppose. I am speaking of the oasis more as a design concept for a probably small backyard than an eco-specific plant list. I wasn't planning on having an actual body of water. I am talking about using any water allowed for beautiful desert plants to surround and nestle the outdoor living space. That is where I want the water to make green living things.

My vision of a desert oasis is a distinct place you enter where the walls and ceiling are made of plants. I'm just borrowing that concept for Hop to ponder.

Regular Bermuda sucks. It is extremely invasive, and will get everywhere. It's nearly impossible to get rid of. It will run under sidewalks, walls, patio slabs. I've even had it grow into my house through the little hole they drilled for the cable, and grow out from under the bed that was up against the wall. It is currently invading my yard from my neighbors' yard, under the block wall. Hybrids are a little better, but not much. they still spread by underground runners. A good alternative is St Augustine. It's softer and with wider blades, very thick. It doesn't seed, you have to either plant sod, or plugs. (cut up sod into about 2" pieces and plant them a few inches apart, and they fill in) Bermuda is also highly allergenic. In fact, I just found out I'm allergic to it, I had no idea.