The North Seattle Vine//Noxious Grasses? The familiar plumes of Pinehurst pampas grass (this one in Pinehurst) are becoming way too familiar. Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) and the similar, red-stemmed Jubata grass (Cortaderia jubata) have escaped cultivation and are spreading rampantly in Washington. Last fall the Thurston County Noxious Weed Control Board discovered a 484-plant infestation of pampas grass in Olympia. Further escaped populations were found as far as Bellingham and Grayland. The Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board will consider adding pampas grass and Jubata grass as Class C noxious weeds to the 2015 state Noxious Weed list at a public hearing Nov. 4 in Wenatchee. The Class C listing is to raise public consciousness and allow counties to control them as necessary; you wouldnt be required to dig yours up. However, you might consider planting noninvasive alternatives, such as Karl Foersters feather reed grass (Calamagrostis xacutiflora Karl Foerster) or giant feather grass (Stipa gigantea). Regardless of the boards decision, you might want to think before you add these grasses to your landscape. One plant can produce as many as 841,000 seeds. Whatever you do, dont bring Ravenna grass (Saccharum ravennae) home from your buddys place in Eastern Washington. The same hearing will consider slapping a Class A designation on Ravenna grass, requiring mandatory eradication. For more info on the hearing, go to nwcb.wa.gov/whatsNew.html. I snagged more info here: nwcb.wa.gov/pdf/Draft_written_findings_Cortaderia_selloana.pdf. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: The North Seattle Vine--the brainstorm of Erica Sternin--is the first in what will (I hope) be frequent reflections on neighborhood plants Ill photograph to motivate walks prescribed by my surgeon. Besides, its the only job I can get with my almost-new Masters in Environmental Horticulture. Most Vines (you hope) will be shorter and not about noxious invasive weeds. Dont freak: I wont identify yards or owners without permission.
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 05:05:00 +0000
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