What about pampas grass?

15 years ago

Does anyone know when I should harvest the seeds and when I should start them growing? I've got a mature colony of white pampas grass in my yard with 8 stalks, and I'd like to gather the seed to start more, but I've no idea what I'm doing. HELP!

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Comments (8)

flwrs4ever
15 years ago
hi Dan,

You really left yourself wide open to many comments saying ..." I've no idea what I'm doing. HELP!" ROFLMBO !!

I just wanted to say it is nice to see ya, I hope life is treating you well !

I hope someone can answer your question, I just had to tease ya...LOL

Kym
midwesternerr
15 years ago
Pampas grass is an invasive species. I would hope that no one would plant it knowing it has this potentional. I know it is invasive in Wisconsin, so I assume it could be anywhere in the United States

Here is a link that might be useful: Pampas Grass and Invasiveness
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I was just given some "Northern Pampas Grass" by a friend in Utah, Zone 5. I also am Zone 5 but in NM. In line with some of your suggestions, he cuts his back in the Spring and told me to do it early, or the new leaves will look blunt where they were cut. He says it will grow to 12 ft. I know that Pampas Grass has been outlawed in parts of Tucson, AZ because it is so invasive. I live in the middle of a national forest and do NOT want to introduce non-native plants to the wilderness. Is Norther Pampas Grass as invasive as Pampas Grass? My friend's wife said the NPG pops up very quickly where not planted. My friend says it can easily be pulled out the first year---but has a deep root if left to be established. Right now- I am thinking of growing in a pot on my patio- far from natural vegetation. Thanks for any advice.
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We grew pompas grass one year,it was a devil to get rid if, very invasive,you really will not need to save the seed,as it will spread by rizones,way faster than you will want, (maybe ) :0) It is nice if you have a HUGE spot you want to fill in, but look out after that. This is just our experance with it, i am sure others will have more to say on the subject. Good luck to you. Carol
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I have removed true Pampas Grass before. It's work, but not THAT bad. Be sure to wear long sleeves and gloves. Protect as much of your skin as possible because the grass blades are very sharp and will cut you. Digging really is the fastest and most effective way to get rid of it. Sharpen your shovel! Cut around the outer edges of the clump and then use a SHARP shovel (A sharp shooter works best) or axe and start chopping the clump into sections. The roots are extremely tough at the surface, but they are easier to cut through as you get deeper into the ground. You can also try using a pruning saw. Just be warned that this is slower and will likely ruin your saw. Once you've cut it into pieces, it won't be so heavy to pull out of the hole.(If you have a helper, you might be able to just lift the whole clump out of the hole, thus saving a step. Depends on how big the clumps are, and how strong your backs are.) The residual bits are pretty simple to dig out, or you can use Round-up. I don't know what your springs look like, but I am usually so busy with planting that I would never get to a big project like this then. Besides, the weather is much more conducive to vigorous work right now. You'll thank yourself a million times if you do it this winter. Pick a bright sunny day and get to it. Good luck! All this being said, if you decide that digging it out is simply too much for you, start spraying it just as soon as it begins to put on new growth in the spring. Keep it up until the clump is gone. This may well take the better part of an entire season, especially if the clumps are old.
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There is no overlap between real Pampas Grass (Cortaderia) and Fountain Grass (Pennisetum). The smallest Pampas Grass is much larger and has much larger flowers than the largest Fountain Grass. The best way to learn to ID the larger grasses from a drive-by is to study Google Images. A few to look up would be Cortaderia selloana, Miscanthus sinensis, Panicum virgatum, Saccharum ravennae, Arundo donax and Sporobolus wrightii. Get to know things like their foliage height, flowering height and time of flowering. This will help you to name what you see while driving by.
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dan_the_mailman
Original Author
15 years ago
Pampas grass is non-invasive here in Michigan. At least, not in Northern Michigan. Here it is considered an exquisite ornamental, and much desired, which is why I wish to propogate it. Thank you very much.

Hiya Kim! Life has it's ups and downs, but then, that's why it's called Life, eh? Paula has moved in (October 1st), which is definitely an up! Work is work, and I'm laying my gardens to rest for the winter. I don't know if you remember my cats, Bump and Jason, but I had to have Jason put to sleep last week. His liver had failed due to feline leukemia. I buried him in the family pet cemetary, and planted daffodils at the head of his grave. It's really strange around here without him, but we've all got one another to help us out while we adjust. And that's about all the news for now...

Now, anyone have any helpful hints/directions on how to harvest and grow pampas grass seed?
agirlsgirl
15 years ago
No,cant help much on the Pampas grass,other than the ones I started were ws in April/March,I cant remember when they sprouted exactly at the moment.They are still small,hoping they will be larger in the spring! :)

My heart felt condolences for the loss of Jason. It really is not easy to go through,but I am glad he had a wonderful life and you have good moral support I am sure. My best to you Dan.
sewobsessed
15 years ago
Oooo! I know, I know!
lol, sorry...first time I can actually help with something.
:)
The seed should be good to go when the seedhead/stalks are brown.
I WSed some last year on 2/12 and had germination on 4/21.
Reeeeally slow grower. Mine only got to 2 foot this year. Hopefully they'll get going and look fab next summer.
Good luck with them.
stage_rat
15 years ago
I just thought I'd mention that real pampas grass isn't hardy where Dan lives, but there's another grass that people call pampas grass. Here's a quote from a thread in Ornamental grases:

" * Posted by gardengal48 PNW zone 8 (My Page) on
Wed, Jan 4, 06 at 22:45

There maybe some confusion regarding common names. True pampas grass, Cortaderia species, are recommended primarly for warmer zones. There are cases where it has been grown successfully in colder zones, but these no doubt offer microclimates or otherwise protected locations. Hardy "pampas" grass (aka plume grass or ravenna grass) is really Erianthus ravennae and is listed as hardy to zone 4. It does prodcue tall plumes but is really quite distinct from Cortaderia. For one, it is deciduous and true pampas grass is evergreen. It also produces much smaller plumes than Cortaderia."

And, Erianthus is not invasive in Michigan. Dan, good luck with the seeds, I guess you could check with that other forum to be sure about collection. Sorry to hear about your kitty!
agirlsgirl
15 years ago
stage_rat! Great info! I was so confused on why I read what I did about Pampas grass and so many people were growing it in my zone! So what I have that is marked Pampas grass,more than likely isn't,but that's ok it will still be pretty,I am sure! :)
dan_the_mailman
Original Author
15 years ago
I collected 5 plumes, or stalkheads, Friday night and am saving them for my wintersowing project. I've never wintersowed outdoors before, so this'll be a fun new experience for me! Thanks everyone for the advice! I appreciate it!
-Dan

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What about pampas grass?

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flwrs4ever

midwesternerr

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What about pampas grass?

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flwrs4ever

midwesternerr

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