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Have you ever dated a person whom you liked a lot and then suddenly found out that person was dangerous, deceiving and obnoxious? You've been happy with him/her, admired his/her beauty, then one day opened a local paper and saw a familiar face with a "Most Wanted" sign? Fortunately, I didn't have an experience like this in life, but this is how I feel after making research with regard to composting pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila') clippings.
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I had a feeling that it might not be a good idea. I thought the blades were too thick and would take a long time to rotten. Well, it's true - it's not recommended to compost pampas grass, but for a different reason. It's considered to be an aggressive colonizer, dangerous to native plants. Thousands of seeds produced by Pampas grass even without pollination can travel long distances by wind (up to 40 km from the parent plant as said here: http://www.botanybay.nsw.gov.au/pdf/parks/NativeNweeds/Pampas%20Grass.indd.pdf. Each pampas grass is capable of bearing over a million seeds during its plant life.
Pampas grass is a large perennial grass, native to South America, which grows in large clumps 8-10 feet high. Silvery-white or pinkish silken plumes grow up to 12 feet high. *
I have only one plant - a dwarf pampas grass, growing in the back of the garden.
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Pampas grass is a large perennial grass, native to South America, which grows in large clumps 8-10 feet high. Silvery-white or pinkish silken plumes grow up to 12 feet high. *
I have only one plant - a dwarf pampas grass, growing in the back of the garden.
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It's very ornamental, a good eye catcher and certainly creates visual interest in that part of the garden. This spring, I trimmed it as close to its baseas possible.
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Last year, I disposed of the clippings. This year, the pile of trimmings was so big, I felt sorry to get rid of such a big amount of green material.
I decided to check the Internet, and the information that I found was not what I expected. In Australia, Pampas grass is declared a Noxious Weed in many areas under the Noxious Weed Act of 1993. It must be fully and continuously suppressed and destroyed.
Pampas grass can reshoot from its root and shoot pieces. For this reason, plant matter must not be transported or dumped (http://www.weeds.asn.au/ ).
I read that it is banned in New Zealand as well. There, people are prohibited from selling and planting Pampas grass. I also read that it is considered a pest in California because of its rampant spreading, and thus cannot be grown there.
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Last year, I disposed of the clippings. This year, the pile of trimmings was so big, I felt sorry to get rid of such a big amount of green material.
I decided to check the Internet, and the information that I found was not what I expected. In Australia, Pampas grass is declared a Noxious Weed in many areas under the Noxious Weed Act of 1993. It must be fully and continuously suppressed and destroyed.
Pampas grass can reshoot from its root and shoot pieces. For this reason, plant matter must not be transported or dumped (http://www.weeds.asn.au/ ).
I read that it is banned in New Zealand as well. There, people are prohibited from selling and planting Pampas grass. I also read that it is considered a pest in California because of its rampant spreading, and thus cannot be grown there.
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I have three questions now. Is it prohibited in your state or country?
Second: are the nurseries, garden centers, landscaping companies aware of this issue? If yes, then why do we hear: "Superb for fresh or dried arrangements!", "Add interest to your garden with Pampas grass!", "Quick landscape fix! Great privacy screen, windbreak, sound barrier!" and nothing about its danger to native plants?
Third: If I cut the plumes right after they appear and never let the seeds develop, will it be safe to compost Pampas grass clippings?
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Recently, I read that the Oregon Department of Agriculture announced the ban of the sale, transport or propagation of English ivy. When we drove home recently from the Mt.Bachelor in Central Oregon, I saw a sign: "Fight Noxious Weeds! It's Your Responsibility!"
I am not going to get rid of my plant. I will watch its plumes and remove them before the seeds ripen. Is it responsible enough? Tell me, please!
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Pampas Grass in winter 2007
In the pictures below, my dwarf pampas grass after trimming in 2009 and recovering a couple months later. This year, I cut it much more drastically.
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To compost pampas grass or not to compost? That is the question!
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Update:
2012 - looking-at-my-pampas-grass
2011 - pampas-grass-little-observation
My today's answer is No to composting Pampas grass.
2012 - looking-at-my-pampas-grass
2011 - pampas-grass-little-observation
My today's answer is No to composting Pampas grass.
***Copyright 2010 TatyanaS
