TLDR: Reseeds to the point of invasiveness. Highly flammable. Also scarily sharp. We’ve got great alternatives here at Painters!

“Our Plant This, Not That” series is intended as a helpful starter tool for choosing non-invasive alternatives. If it is sold at a garden store, it should be harmless, right!? If only this were always true! At Painters, we routinely assess our program to ensure we never sell plants that are deemed invasive in North Carolina.  

Invasive plants grow quickly and spread rapidly, outcompeting natives in our natural environment. They can create silos of monoculture that not only reduces plant variety, but significantly alter habitats, making it difficult for native insects, birds, and mammals to find the resources they need to live, eat, and reproduce. They can affect farmlands and forests and even infrastructure, becoming costly in a number of ways. Sometimes we see the clear impact (like when the non-native wisteria eats grandma’s front porch!) but sometimes the impact is felt further afield. 

Seeds travel through wind and water, birds and animals. You may think 'what’s the harm' in leaving that last butterfly bush or Japanese beautyberry--they’re so beautiful! But just because you don’t see them nearby doesn’t mean they aren't reseeding the forest edge two valleys over. Birds and insects and wind can disperse seeds long distances! And while you might be really good at pruning back or weeding down, who’s to tend the aggressive plant in 50 years? Or downstream? Or the train-track right-of-way?

In this segment of our invasive alternatives, we hope to shed some light on two commonly requested grasses: pampas grass and miscanthus or eulalia (also referred to as Chinese or Japanese silvergrass). 

Both Miscanthus sinensis (Eulalia) or Cortaderia selloana Pampas Grass were brought to the United States from their native regions (Asia for Miscanthus and South America for Pampas Grass) for use as ornamental grasses. But their flaws make them more danger than delight. 

Pampas grass’s whip-like blades are terrifyingly sharp. (When we refer to their blades, it’s the truth–a literal stand of knives!) Not only difficult to garden around, but dangerous to children, pets, and other wildlife. The serrated edges make for undesirable habitat and if ingested, the sharp blades can cut mouths, throats, or digestive tracts of pets. Not only threatening physically, a single pampas grass plume can produce 100,000 seeds each year and once lifted into the wind, they can colonize large swaths in unintended areas. Similarly, miscanthus also reseeds to the point of invasiveness in our region–because they often favor disturbed sites such as roadsides they can be assumed less problematic, but edge habitats are critical to many species of birds, mammals, pollinators and more. Plus miscanthus has a large rhizomatus root structure that once established is incredibly difficult to eradicate. 

Both of these invasive grasses also have high flammability ratings--invasive plant species as a whole tend to grow rapidly and form large monoculture stands creating conditions where wildfire is more prevalent and also more intense. These invasive grasses have a multiplying effect on that tendency. They dry out in mid-to late summer and fall becoming highly combustible and dangerous in the case of fire. Add this to a woodland edge and the whole region increases its risk. 

But maybe you really love how pretty they look! If you are drawn to the tall and dramatic presentation of these ornamental grasses, any Big Bluestem is a great alternative. Tall and attractive with striking seedheads for visual interest throughout the seasons, these grasses are also incredibly beneficial for birds and wildlife in the winter. Leaving the seedheads provides food for wildlife and makes a great winter habitat. Just prune it all back in the spring.

Big Bluestem 'Blackhawks' photo from Walters Gardens, Inc.

Big Bluestem 'Blackhawks' photo from Walters Gardens, Inc.

This season at Painters we are carrying the straight species Big Bluestem plus three gorgeous varieties ‘Holy Smoke,’ ‘Blackhawks,’ and ‘Red October.’

Another incredible alternative is Karl Foerster feather reed grass. This is the most similar in appearance to pampas grass so you don’t have to sacrifice beauty! It’s an ornamental grass whose seedheads are sterile so no worry about it colonizing outside of your garden. It is easy to grow and the plumes last a really long time. Beneficial AND beautiful! Find it at Painters this fall. 

 (Read more about falling in love with grasses in our blog: https://www.paintersgreenhouse.com/post/developing-a-love-for-ornamental-grasses)