skip to main content

Ornamental grass problem

11 years ago

I have an Ornamental grass problem in my lawn, My dwarf fountain grass has spread seeds to my lawn and its getting out of control, What can I do to get rid of the small dwarf fountain grass plants growing in my lawn. Up till now I have been pulling them out as I mow. They come right up roots and all. But they are winning, Is there a herbicide I could apply with out hurting my lawn, ( Kentucky blue grass, perennial rye ect)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

goren
11 years ago
I'd say ALL herbicides sold on store shelves are able to be spread, sprayed, to kill most broadleafed weeds without harming the natural grass. The varieties with their trade names abound so if you have any questions about their ability to kill what weeds you have, then ask....and do read the label for instructions on how/when/where to apply.

Most times simple mowing of what is sometimes spread by the wind of seeds will keep down any growth of seedlings as they appear. Spraying by hand on the seedling can be effective without having to do widespread spraying which, on a windy day, can be very distructive to other plants.
nearandwest
11 years ago
"I'd say ALL herbicides sold on store shelves are able to be spread, sprayed, to kill most broadleafed weeds without harming the natural grass."

goren, I would have to disagree with the above statement.

Example: A person would definitely NOT want to spray glyphosate (Roundup), a non-selective herbicide, on turfgrass that they were not trying to kill. Any turfgrass that Roundup comes into contact with will die.
Related Discussions
Help Me start growing Ornamental Grasses!
Q
Comments (2)
I'll start with dealing with ornamental grass seeds. I have no idea what you have, or even if the seeds were ready to be harvested when you plucked the tops. Here's a Miscanthus sinensis seed head: As you can see, the seeds are tiny. You basically worry them out of their carriers within the seed head. This one might be easier to illustrate how it's done. The hairy critter in the upper left is a complete seed carrier from Pennisetum alopecuriodes (Fountain Grass). The lower right is the seed alone. This is Carex grayii: Carex muskingumensis: Once you get the seeds sorted, you can start them indoors if you like, or outside, later in the year. If you do it outside, you'll have to protect the seeds from birds. Start them by sowing them in bunches, so you'll get good-sized clumps of grass. Cover them with a thin layer of soil and keep them moist...just like starting Tomatoes. Harden off the seedlings before planting them out..well after your last frost. Some grasses need a lot of sun, others not as much. Some will self sow, some will not.
...See More
Ornamental grass for privacy screen
Q
Comments (2)
You don't have enough room for even the smallest of grasses. Also, grasses must be cut back in early spring and take several months to regain their growth so it wouldn't provide much of a screen for several months in early spring to early summer. I don't see why you can't put in posts to attach something to add height to the four foot fence--10-12 feet should be enough to put in a post, and grow a tough vine like Aristochia on whatever you attach to the post.
...See More
starting ornamental grass production
Q
Comments (1)
Spacing depends on variety and size you want at dig time. I don't know how you are marketing the grasses or for what purpose, so I can't say how large you want them to be. For most of the varieties listed, I'd recommend spacing at 2' or less, center to center. 2 1/2' of space between rows...depedning on harvest equipment, manual digging, tractor, etc. Tractors can be driven over rows of grasses without harm if tires are in the dirt rows. Drip tape works well for rows of grasses. Cheaper the better, you likely won't be able to re-use.
...See More
Lawn Grass fertilizer and Ornamental Grasses?
Q
Comments (1)
The only ferts my grasses get is an occasional bit of compost tea, very dilute. Apart from that, they get nutrients from decomposing mulch and that's it. Ornamental grasses really don't benefit from overly fertile soil, and can get too floppy if there's too much nutrient. I remember reading, on this forum, someone's experience with lawn ferts and A. donax, and I believe it was a positive one. I've never grown it, so I can't speak to it's need for ferts. I wouldn't put any Weed-n-Feed type stuff anywhere near any ornamental grasses, but I don't use any of it anyway. I'm trying to get rid of lawn, not encourage it.
...See More
jimmc10
11 years ago
Info you want on page 2 of below ref. Today there are many products containing quinclorac. The original was Drive 75WDG, but Drive XLR8 is more commonly found today. Don't know if Drive is available in consumer market, but a few products in market do contain quinclorac today.

Here is a link that might be useful: Midwest fact sheet 2008

Related Stories

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Ornamental Grasses in the Landscape

By Becky Harris

Low-maintenance grasses add beauty and motion to the garden

GRASSES 10 Ways to Use Ornamental Grasses in the Landscape

By Laura Gaskill

These low-maintenance plants can add beauty, texture and privacy to any size garden

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 7 Ornamental Grasses for Coastal Gardens

By Genevieve Schmidt

These hardy seashore plants evoke the ocean, sway in the breeze and help prevent sand erosion in the landscape

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Gorgeous Plant Combos With Low-Water Ornamental Grasses

By Dig Your Garden Landscape Design

Use a variety of plant heights, textures and sizes, as well as leaves and flowers in varying colors, for a pleasing design

SUMMER GARDENING Great Design Plant: Pink Muhly Grass

By Annie Thornton

Bring billowing clouds of pink to your yard with this heat-tolerant, sun-loving ornamental grass

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Problem Solving With the Pros: An Abundant Garden Stretches Its Means

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Swaths of resilient, eye-catching plants thrive with little care or resources in the landscape of a Pennsylvania farmhouse

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Problem Solving With the Pros: A Garden Built From Scratch

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Nature is reintroduced and redefined in a Dutch urban setting, to forge a dynamic relationship with city dwellers

LANDSCAPE DESIGN California Says Goodbye to the Sprawling Ornamental Lawn

By Annie Thornton

New state rules will effectively limit turfgrass to 25 percent of the landscape in most new and renovated yards

RED FOLIAGE Great Design Plant: Japanese Blood Grass

This dramatic, ruby-tinged grass bridges the gap between red and green, short and tall plants

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Energize Your Landscape With Masses of Grasses

By Donald Pell - Gardens

Create year-round interest with waves of attention-getting grasses for all kinds of yards

Sponsored

M&Z Home Services LLC

1 Review

Franklin County's Established Home Remodeling Expert Since 2012

More Discussions

Sowed a month ago, but little to no germination

5

plastic netting implanted in lawn!

2

Every spring and fall with pre-emergent, but still lot weeds???

3

Plastic netting in lawn starter

2

Lawn care Zone 3

1