Pampas Grass-Malign Invader v. Maliciously Maligned Xeric Plant?
- max_read
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- bindweed
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» max_read - Sunset Western Garden Book's Condemnation of Pampas Grass
Sunset Western Garden Book condemns pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) for potentially being as "serious" an invasive "weed" as its "horrid cousin," Jubata grass (Cortaderia jubata). Pampas grass is useful because it is both beautiful and tolerant of many dry to wet landscaping conditions. I've seen it in several places in several locations, including in Tucumcari, NM, where the wind blows constantly. It looks as if it stays where it is planted. Has anyone actually had difficulty with this plant being an "invasive weed" like Jubata grass?-- posted by max_read
» max_read - Pampas Grass
Jojo posted an excellent answer on Arid Jared's website, where I also posted my question: (THANKS JOJO!)Author: Jojo
Date: November 13, 1999 4:56 PM
Subject: pesty pampas
Hi Max (and Jared)
I get a few volunteer seedlings around my pampas grass, but they are usually smothered by other plants very quickly, and if not they are easy to remove at a young state. In more ideal climates (milder and not so rainy as my own) Pampas grass can become a bit of a pest, putting little seedlings all over the place.
The truth is though, that the regular, garden pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) is not that invasive. It gets a reputation for being horribly invasive from it's close cousin Jubata grass (Cortaderia jubata). This wild pampas grass is incredibly invasive and has become a serious weed along the california coast. This confusion between species is quite understandable because really they look very alike. Jubata grass plumes tend to be slimmer and held higher above the leaves of the plant that the ornamental species. Also, Jubata grass bears fewer plumes.
Because of this confusion, some nurseries in California refrain from selling any kind of Cortaderia whatsoever.
Good on 'em - better safe than sorry.
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-- posted by max_read
» max_read - Jojo's Perennial discussion of Pampas -
As far as pampas grass goes, once it is established it is very drought tolerant. This means that the plant will live, but might not look that great. For example, brown tips to the leaves etc...Ever pulled up pampas grass? The roots are incredible. They tap down deep and fix the plant in place like concrete. The roots also utilize moisture down deep, even in small amounts. This is the reason that they are not drought tolerant until established.
Thanks, Jojo! I'll probably use pampas in the no - water zone. I'm not big on acres of plain dirt, which isn't like this area originally was, and pampas grass looks good in silouette, as in the distance. And, don't worry, Jabba the Hut (or Jubata), the evil cousin, won't be allowed! The root system Jojo describes is the healthiest root system for this area, and pampas grass will probably recover every monsoon. Using it as a distance plant I won't have to worry about the look of browned leaves.
-- posted by max_read
» bindweed - Cortadera
Just a quick note that there are two interesting cultivars. One is a beautiful dwf. variety and there is a variegated one as well.There is another Cortaderia being sold as well, it is C. richardii. More tender than selloana -- it too can become rampant in warmer climates!
I also wondered if you have tried Stipa gigantea. This grass is one of my own favorites and from what I have observed should be quite tough. Z-7 or so. Foliage is a munchkin, some two feet or less but the flowering stems grow to six feet and make a show of shimering golden florets. Great companion in a lily bed and should be positioned so it can be viewed with light flowing through the florets.
That said I guess you live in a colder zone after all -- might be worth mulching and protecting???
Herbert Senft <img src="http://www.fritech.com/skyline/images/gardenerstroll.jpg"
Visit the friendly Pacific Northwest
-- posted by bindweed
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