The best time to cut back pampas grass is in late winter just before the plant begins sending up new foliage. Pampas Grass, One of 2020s Biggest Interior Trends, Is Actually Illegal. All Rights Reserved. The wheat-coloured decorative grass has become popular at weddings and florists say the law on its use is unclear Pampas grass is native to South America and is considered a weed in most Australian states and territories as it competes with native vegetation and is a fire hazard. Pampas Grass (Cortaderia) is an ornamental grass and is very popular and on trend amongst interior lovers, decorators, wedding florists, and us! Its originally from South America. In many areas, pampas grass was used as . We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. This is usually performed in late winter or early spring. Flower Description. The plant is considered a noxious weed in several states and is banned in new south wales. Cortaderia jubata (pink pampas grass) are present. Sellers are widespread and active on eBay, Etsy and Facebook Marketplace, but with the grass being a biohazard, its recommended those who wish to emulate the look of pampas in their own places should instead opt for artificial lookalikes. We hear rumours you can be slapped with a fine for $60,000 but we don't know for sure.". Pampas grass leaves are razor-sharp. Before growing pampas grass, be sure to put it somewhere in the landscape where it has plenty of room to grow, especially when planting more than one. Inflorescences occur at stem tips and are plume-like, dense panicles, 9.8 inches to 2 feet (25 to 60 cm) long by 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) wide. She said her business had not been involved in the recent pampa grass seizures and that her team had made every effort to ensure the grass was not harmful to the environment. Pampas grass, Cortaderia selloana, is a large perennial grass native to Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Loosen the soil and sow seeds directly. Your gateway to a wide range of natural resources information and associated maps, Invasive Assessment | Impact Assessment | Potential Distribution. Once considered an excellent choice for its salt tolerance and fast growth, pampas grass has been found by the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas to be invasive and is not recommended for any use. Florist Jaala Mills, who co-owns Bower Botanicals in Byron Bay, has worked on a number of local pampas grass weddings. Pampas grass typically grows 10 feet high and wide, and easily self-seeds. Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) | VRO | Agriculture Victoria VRO Invasive Plants Invasive Plants - Common Name - P Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) Invasive Assessment | Impact Assessment | Potential Distribution Pampas grass Photo: Mark Imhof Related Links Victorian Resources Online | Agriculture Victoria | Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Invasiveness Assessment - Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) in Victoria. We have a great how to dry flowers guide if you are wanting to have a go at drying your own. Sunningdale Silver With its dark green leaves, silvery-white plumed flowers, and majestic 10-foot stance, Sunningdale Silver makes an elegant statement. Can the dogs of Chernobyl teach us new tricks when it comes to our own survival? Stems, called culms, are stiff and grow to 6.6 to 13.1 feet (2 to 4 m) tall. Introduced to Santa Barbara, California in 1848 by nursery operators, pampas grass has spread all over the state, threatening native plants and the . Sign up for our newsletter. While theyre extremely easy to grow, however, its important to know what youre getting into before planting pampas grass around the home. Once a weed is introduced into a new area, it quickly spreads and infests the area, threatening agriculture, the environment and social activities such as boating, swimming and fishing. Either acidic or neutral pH works well for pampas grass. Sometimes in creamy white or a natural blush pink variety (you can also get dyed pampas grass too). Class C noxious weed jubata grass, Cortaderia jubata, is very similary in appearance to pampas grass. You can often find pampas grass growing in large fields of farmland, at large parks or nature reserves and if youre lucky - in your own backyard. "We imported the grass in from California," she said. In Victoria, it is illegal to buy, sell, import, transport, or display for sale any noxious weeds that are declared under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7084911/Instagram-brides-blamed-spreading-illegal-pampas-grass.html, http://scentimentflowers.com.au/new-blog/2020/1/26/why-you-should-say-no-to-pampas-grass-1, https://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/PampasGrass, Filed Under: General Gardening Tagged With: growing pampas grass, pampas grass, pampas grass decorating, pampas grass plume, Your email address will not be published. For these reasons, it's important to consider planting sites carefully. This work, Victorian Resources Online, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Pampas grass does, however, have sharp leaves that can scratch or cut a dog's sensitive skin, so it is not advisable for owners to allow their dogs to access large patches of the plant. And remember to keep the best stems for arranging in on-trend displays . : Pampas grass is a nonnative species used in ornamental plantings in Washington and is a known invasive species in California and is escaped in Oregon. Strip the end of the stems for any excess foliage. Fluffy and feather-like, the heads are incredibly flammable and its said any florist found selling the grass in banned areas will be slapped with a hefty fine. Access to higher quality images can also be provided on request. The tall, fluffy grass is a highly sought after decor piece in most homes. The following table provides information on the invasiveness of Pampas grass. Giant wildrye is a grass that, like pampas grass, forms dense stands in a variety of different soils. Once established it is difficult and costly to eradicate. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090. Dig a hole just bigger than the new plant, and water moderately after planting. Those in the wedding industry said the pampas grass trend was one they would be happy to see the back of, with both Ms Mills and Mr Devlin saying the product was a nightmare to handle. Pink Feather starts blooming in mid-summer and continues until fall, and the average height is 8 feet. View policy.We respect your privacy; unsubscribe at any time. In warmer climates, pampas grass can be burned any time of year. "Some people are bringing the flowers over the border from Queensland," she said. Pampas grass (Cortaderia) is an attractive ornamental grass that is popular in many landscapes. The online trade of noxious weeds allows them to spread quickly. Cut 5 pampas grass stems using a sharp knife or floral scissors. See our Written Findings for pampas grassCortaderia selloana, Thurston County NWCBFact Sheeton pampas grass, Whatcom County NWCB Fact Sheeton pampas grass, Pampasgrass and jubatagrass information from the University of California WEED Research and information Center, 1111 Washington Street SE Instagram weddings blamed for popularity of pampas grass, a noxious weed. All pampas plants are able to put out over 1 million pampas grass seeds in their lifetime, then they reproduce and spread those seeds quite fast. Vegetative spread can occur when fragmented roots receive adequate moisture and develop adventitious roots. Lets talk about what Pampas grass is and why its bad for your garden. Breaking the ban in Australia carries a $10,000 fine. If you're worried about the size and potential spread of pampas grass, some good alternatives are Korean Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha), which grows up to 4 feet and has pink plumes; Shenandoah Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah') had red-tipped green leaves that turn burgundy in the fall; Regal Mist Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris 'Lenca') is topped with delicate cotton-candy plumes, is fast-growing, and tops out at 4 feet. In Texas, pampas grass is considered a nuisance plant and is regulated by the state. 25 Deer-Resistant Plants Your Garden Needs, Everything You Need To Know About Buttercups, How To Grow And Care For Curcuma (Turmeric), How To Grow And Care For Panicle Hydrangeas, Flower (Plume) Color: white, yellow, and pink. Back | Table | Feedback We love seeing Dried wedding flowers with luscious, fluffy pampas grass. Native to South America, pampas grass houses around 100,000 seeds in its flower heads, and these are known to spread in a 25-kilometre radius from light winds. Dont be so quick to plant it simply because it looks good. If you are planning to grow pampas grass, there are a few things to be aware of. Cortaderia richardii (New Zealand pampas grass, toe toe) has been recorded in Tasmania. Invasive plants such as pampas grass displace native plants and create habitats that are lower in biodiversity. How could we know that's true?". In Victoria, small isolated infestations have been recorded in northern and north-west rural areas of the state. Leaf sheaths are variable in their hairiness and the ligules consists of a dense ring of hairs. Pink Feather What could be more stunning than pink plumes? Continue in this manner until you have cut all the grass down to a manageable size. Its actually a very fast grower and can become quite large, anywhere from 5 and 10 feet (1.5-3 m.) high and wide, and even invasive. More information and a full list of Victoria's declared noxious weeds. * How long can pampas grass live? You can also start pampas grass seed indoors in pots and transplant seedlings outside. Feedback Pruned clumps can be sliced through with a shovel and replanted elsewhere. "It's messy, it gets all over you," Ms Mills said. Plants either have all female flowers or all hermaphroditic flowers. One of todays most coveted interior decor items does well to bring about a whimsical, aesthetic touch of nature to any modern home with its natural beige or pink hue and feature-like foliage. By now, most people will be familiar with the neutral, tall, lush grass stems that are often white and fluffy found in floor vases in homes, at weddings or as part of dried flower arrangements. Pampas grass is a nonnative species used in ornamental plantings in Washington and is a known invasive species in California and is escaped in Oregon. And as a bonus, artificial pampas grass wont get into your eyes and nose, which florists say can present quite an annoying problem with the real stuff. "Anyone could just get the grass down off the railway line in Newcastle and say this is the certificate for it. In 2014, escaped populations of pampas grass were discovered in Washington State, with one infestation having almost 500 plants. Most people are familiar with the large clumps of lush, grass-like foliage and creamy white feathery plumes of pampas grass (though pink varieties are available too). Breaking the ban in Australia carries a $10,000 fine. The plants also make great homes for all kinds of vermin, which is another reason you dont want them in your garden. This work, Victorian Resources Online, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The plant is also banned in Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Other Common Names: Uruguayan pampas grass Kim Curtis from Rous County Council said officers had seized the outlawed grass from three locations in the Byron Bay and Tweed regions over the past two weeks. Mailing: P.O. Pampas grass can be grown by seed or you can opt to buy a plant. Rogue, available at Myer, has a fairly conviving range of faux pampas grass, that when styled in a tall vase look shockingly close to the real deal. Furthermore, while pampas grass is not desirable to most animal species, Giant wildrye attracts various birds that enjoy their seeds. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. Normally, only female plants are propagated. We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. Pampas grass is usually propagated through division in spring. If this happens, the entire tussock should be removed. Learn more about our use of cookies: Cookie Policy, Pampas Grass, One of 2020s Biggest Interior Trends, Is Actually Illegal, 5 Spots to See Vivid Views Without the Crowds (or Having to Pay for a $$ Dinner or Drink). ANSWER: Pampas grass is not illegal in the United States, though it is illegal in Australia. The culms are usually 2 to 4 times as long as the inflorescence and are equal to or slightly longer than the tussock. It is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. You are free to re-use the work under that licence, on the condition that you credit the State of Victoria (Agriculture Victoria) as author, indicate if changes were made and comply with the other licence terms. Plant invasiveness is determined by evaluating a plants biological and ecological characteristics against criteria that encompass establishment requirements, growth rate and competitive ability, methods of reproduction, and dispersal mechanisms. It is illegal to sell in parts of New South Wales that include greater Sydney and the Hunter region but interior obsessives and those desperate to decorate . birds). The pampas grass season is at its prime from March to May but when purchasing dried pampas grass, it is usually available all year round. This page was last updated on document.write(dateModified). (That last part you dont have to imagine. We love seeing. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Mexican feather grass Noxious weeds are weeds that are considered harmful to our environment and agriculture. See the Emergency Closures page before visiting a CDFW office, facility or property. With its dramatic stature and plume-like flowers, the striking look of pampas grass makes it a trendy pick for Southern yards. It is illegal to cut pampas grass without a permit from the Texas Department of Agriculture. If you are wanting to know where to buy pampas grass, how to decorate with pampas grass, or how to look after it, then keep reading our guide to pampas grass decor. Do not cover with soil, because pampas grass with sprout more easily if it is accessible to light and water. No, not exactly. It is a highly invasive plant, with each flower head producing up to 100,000 seeds that can spread to a 25-kilometre radius, and is banned from sale in the Greater Sydney, Hunter, south-east and north coast regions of NSW. Pampas grass is easy to grow, and plants rarely need watering or fertilization. CONTENTS 1 Why is pampas grass bad? When working with pampas grass, it is important to protect yourself when handling the plants. Plants can reach up to 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide. However he said it could be difficult to dissuade a bride who had a certain aesthetic in mind. Plant pampas grass is a sunny area with well-draining soil. The plant is usually propagated by dividing and replanting a clump from a female plant to grow the more desirable female plants. Sarah J. To learn more about these harmful water weeds, visit: If you see a declared noxious weed for sale online, please don't contact the seller yourself. Prescribed measures for the control of noxious weeds, Protect our environment from the illegal online trade of noxious weeds, Victorian Government role in invasive plant and animal management, More information and a full list of Victoria's declared noxious weeds, taking a screenshot of the advertisement and emailing it to, emailing details about your sighting, including the address and photos of the plant, to, making a report via the online form (above), calling the Agriculture Victoria Customer Service Centre on. Read more stories fromTheLatchand follow us onFacebook. When should you cut back pampas grass? Weed class: C While this is OK in other parts of the world, it wont fit the bill for Australian buyers. In America, in particularly California and Hawaii, pampas grass is known as an invasive plant because it self-seeds and spreads to then form dense colonies. Avoid planting pampas grass where you do not want views blocked (too close to your home) or where it could spread into a neighbor's property. Also, planting or seeding desirable, non-invasive plants can provide competition to reduce germination and seedling establishment. Pampas grass is a tall, perennial grass that is native to South America. Pampas grass is a large, ornamental grass, growing up to 10 feet high and wide. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Our gardening obsessed editors and writers choose every product we review. In Victoria, it is illegal to buy, sell, import, transport, or display for sale any noxious weeds that are declared under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. It also tolerates a wide range of soil types but prefers moist, well-draining soil. Leaves are: finely serrated on the edges dull green, upright and arched (common pampas) August 14, 2022. Who doesnt love Pampas Grass? Pampas grass grows quickly and it can become invasive. Due to its apparent recent spread, its ability to crowd out desirable plant species and the range of conditions it can establish and survive, pampas grass is listed as a Class C noxious weed. As reported by The Latch, you do have options if youve just got to have the look of pampas grass to decorate a room or for an upcoming event. Even weeds kept in a backyard can be easily spread by wind carrying seeds or by plant parts being picked up and transported by animals (e.g. Try out this native plant alternative in your garden today! State prohibited weeds water hyacinth and salvinia are two of the worlds worst water weeds and are sometimes sold online as ornamental aquatic or water plants. I love the way it looks and wanted to plant some in my garden. Native to South America, pampas grass houses around 100,000 seeds in its flower heads, and these are known to spread in a 25-kilometre radius from light When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. "It was quarantined in Australia and it went through a process of irradiation to kill the seeds and then we had documentation from customs saying we were legally allowed to have it.". It should also be pruned each year to the ground. Pampas grass is an invasive plant that has the potential to spread faster than wildfire. Cut to the ground, and be sure to wear protective clothing and eye protection when pruning pampas grass. Keep an eye out for the best pampas grass as some can look rather sad and matted. Find great deals and sell your items for free. "I wish someone could come out and say exactly what the deal is," she said. Wear eye protection, gloves, and long sleeves and pants when pruning or working near pampas grass, and plant in an area away from where children and dogs play. Dried pampas grass has become an increasingly popular ornamental grass as it is a highly sought after statement piece in hundreds of homes, not only throughout Australia but all across the world. A more detailed description of the methodology of the Victorian Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) method can be viewed below: Victorian Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) method (PDF - 630 KB) Pampas grass does best when planted in full sun, and it needs at least six hours of sun a day. Biosecurity officers have raided florists on the north coast of New South Wales to seize an illegal noxious weed popularised by so-called Instagram weddings. It is illegal to sell in parts of New South Wales that include greater Sydney and the Hunter region but interior obsessives and those desperate to decorate wedding venues in line with their pinned inspo have found a way to get their hands on it regardless. This statement plant needs room to grow. Thats because its impossible to tell whether dried pampas grass has had its seeds removed or not. What is traditionally considered a noxious weed to some, is now considered a luxury statement piece that is a must have in homes to others. Pampas grass is native to South America and is considered a weed in most Australian states and territories as it competes with native vegetation and is a fire hazard. Ms Mills said most florists wanted to do the right thing but there was confusion in the industry about whether they were allowed to hire out grass that had been treated to kill the seeds. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. However, you may see dyed colors like bright tones or gray on artificial or dried Pampas grass. Copyright 2023. State prohibited weeds pose a major threat to Victorias agriculture sector, natural environment and broader social activities, and are actively managed with the aim of eradicating them from the state. In 2014, escaped populations of pampas grass were discovered in Washington State, with one infestation having almost 500 plants. Lagarosiphon is an aggressive freshwater aquatic plant that chokes still and slow-moving water. Why is selling pampas grass illegal? It looks great paired with neutral, If you are wanting to know where to buy pampas grass, how to decorate with pampas grass, or how to look after it, then keep reading our guide to, We will also share some of our tips and tricks on how to incorporate pampas grass into your own. Male and female flowers are produced on separate plants. Please click here to see a county level distribution map of Pampas grass in Washington. Plant or seed bare ground with native or non-invasive, non-native plants to provide competition. It sprouts during spring and produces bulbs within only its first year of being planted. But unlike some trends, growing pampas grass is a landscape choice that's here to stay. By now, most people will be familiar with the neutral, tall, lush grass stems that are often white and fluffy found in, Dried pampas grass in particular is a huge trend at the moment and we dont see it going anywhere anytime soon. A more detailed description of the methodology of the Victorian Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) method can be viewed below: Victorian Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) method (PDF - 630 KB) Victorian Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) method (DOC - 1 MB) Pumila Yes, you can enjoy the beauty and drama of pampas grass even if you don't have room for a ten-foot plant. Most people would be quite familiar with the tall, fluffy, neutral looking stems by now. Find great deals and sell your items for free. Patagonia Loved for its blue-gray leaves that provide a beautiful contrast to the silvery-white flowers, Patagonia soars to a spectacular 9 feet. Pampas grass Cortaderia selloana is not illegal in most parts of the United States, but it is illegal in Hawaii, South Africa, and New Zealand due to it becoming an invasive species. Pampas grass bears male and female plumes on separate plants, with females being the most common among varieties grown. The hermaphroditic flowers function primarily as a pollen source, and so are often referred to as male flowers. If so, we would value your contribution. After dividing the clump from the main plant, dig down to loosen the roots. Noxious weeds can spread very quickly and harm native plants, waterways, wildlife and agriculture, so its important to not buy or sell them. Female plants need to be pollinated by hermaphroditic plants to produce seed. Waiting until the end of winter allows you to enjoy the plumes all year. dig out the clump and transfer it to the desired planting spot. "We want clarification. "It's scary, the seeds on pampas grass can travel for kilometres and it could create another outbreak of a high-priority weed that farmers have to deal with for years to come," she said. For larger plants, a Pulaski, mattock or shovel are the safest and most effective tools for removing established clumps. Today there are many pampas grass cultivars in the nursery trade . Giant wildrye is a great native alternative to invasive pampas grass because it provides the same beauty and utility in your garden, but unlike pampas grass, it contributes to higher biodiversity and does not negatively impact the natural environment or those animal species that rely on it. The licence does not apply to branding or some images or photographs that may be owned by third parties. Leaves are bluish-green, their upper surfaces glabrous at base and their lower surfaces glabrous or hair toward the collar. A hard pruning to the ground in late winter helps keep the plant under control and will help encourage healthy growth for next season. In the meantime, you can find us scrolling through Pinterest and pinning the most dreamy. Caring for your pampas grass is simple. Water pampas grass well until it is established and after that this drought-resistant plant, Rugged pampas grass can take high temperatures and humidity and will survive over winter in USDA Grow Zones 7-10. Therefore, it is important that we do our part by not planting pampas grass in our gardens, but instead plant native plants that are comparably beautiful and provide the same utility. An individual pampas grass stand can produce millions of seeds annually that travel several miles, and because these grasses are very tolerant of intense sunlight, drought, and frost, they are very efficient at establishing in many habitat types. Pampas grass is considered invasive in parts of California and Hawaii. Victorian Resources Online | Agriculture Victoria | Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. Available at markets, in local florists, and here in our dried arrangements. "The pampas grass looked fantastic and after someone sees a particular look like that on Instagram, then that's what they want," he said. See their detail pages and Written Findings for more information. Each Pampas grass plume has the capacity to hold up to 100,000 seeds insidewhich has a lot to do with why the plant is classified as invasive in so many places and has become illegal in Australia. Furthermore, pampas grass has leaf blades that are highly undesirable as food or shelter to birds and other wildlife, and can actually cause physical harm to those animals, including humans, because the leaves are extremely sharp. Female pampas grass is most often seen because of its showier plumes. Pampas grass plants can either be male or female, and the female has the showiest plumes. However, with appropriate measures taken (for clumps well away from homes and buildings), you can also burn the foliage down to the green growth without any harm to the plant. Pampas grass is illegal only in certain parts of Australia such as specific regions of NSW including Greater Sydney, South East and the North East Coast regions. Required fields are marked *. The licence does not apply to branding or some images or photographs that may be owned by third parties. Cut the stalks down to about 2 inches above the ground with a pair of gardening shears. Think carefully about where to plant pampas grass, and ask your local greenhouse about sterile plants, which will not self-seed. Is pampas grass illegal? Spikelets have 2 florets, and are 3 to 7 mm long and purplish. "The hard thing is, a lot of these florists, if they say no to a bride then that bride will go to the florist who will say yes, so it becomes an economical thing," Mr Devlin said. These water weeds quickly spread to cover and block waterways, which harms native plants and wildlife and reduces water quality for farming and recreation activities, such as boating and water skiing. Agriculture Victoria will follow up on your report and arrange for the effective removal of the weeds. . This large, perennial weed is popular because of its feathery, plume-like shape. Instead, consider a native grass like muhly grass, or fakahatchee. We would love to see dried pampas grass styled and on display in your home or even at your wedding! A more detailed description of the methodology of the Victorian Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) method can be viewed below: Victorian Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) method (PDF - 630 KB) Leaf blades are up to 6.6 feet long and have a prominent midrib. * What are some alternatives to pampas grass? Splendid Star This dwarf pampas grass (this is a manageable plant that can be grown in containersthe leaves reach 2.5 feet, and the plumes stretch to 4 feet) has striking golden-green leaves and white blooms.