Download Phalaris arundinacea

plant this
not that
by Natalie Gertz-Young, education/information coordinator,
Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District
Thousands of plants have been introduced to the United States from other parts of the world. Some have come here
accidentally in seed stock, while others were brought here intentionally for horticultural use. A small number of these
introduced plants have gotten a little too comfortable in their new environment. Because they have no native predators and
produce a lot of fruit and seed that are efficiently dispersed, they are invading natural areas. The aggressiveness of these
invasive plants affects natural areas and wildlife by decreasing biodiversity, competing with native and rare plants and
eliminating wildlife habitat and food sources.
Plant This, Not That features a list of native alternatives to a commonly used landscape plant that has become invasive. The
alternatives were chosen because their characteristics – form, flowers, fruit or fall color – are similar to that of the invasive and
fulfill the same landscaping need. Plants that are native to Ohio are recommended when possible as native species are generally
well-adapted to local climates and provide additional resources for wildlife. However, there are many non-native plants on the
market that are also non-invasive and possess great ornamental value.
The Invasive
The Alternatives
Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’
This sedge is a dense-spreader, has attractive 12-inch-long variegated leaves
and likes its feet wet. All of these qualities make this Japanese native a great
choice for the home garden. While it is not native to the Northeast Ohio it
is not known to spread into wild areas and therefore does not pose a threat
to native plant and animal populations. ‘Ice Dance’ does prefer part to full
shade so it is best planted in a woodland garden or shaded border.
Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’
Ed Hedborn, Missouri Botanical Garden
Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canary Grass)
“. . . my observation with reed canary grass is that it is wise not to
plant it if one wishes ever to get rid of it.”
While that might seem like advice from a modern conservationist, it
is actually a quote from a text written in 1940 by Indiana botanist C.
C. Deam. Deam’s observation has proven true as Phalaris arundinacea
has become a subtle and pernicious invader of Ohio’s wetlands and
disturbed uplands.
While many invasive plants are introduced by accident, the
introduction of P. arundinacea was far from unintended. P. arundinacea
was introduced to Northeast Ohio in two different ways. The first
started as early as 1850 when varieties were brought over from
Europe for use as forage. In 1929, the USDA recommended planting
P. arundinacea and praised its tolerance for wetland soils and cold
winters, rapid spread and early maturity.
Chasmanthium latifolium ‘River Mist’
Variegated Northern Sea Oats
This variegated variety of Chasmanthium latifolium, commonly called
Northern or Inland Sea Oats, is a relative newcomer to gardens
and nurseries. ‘River Mist’ tolerates a variety of soil types and light
conditions, and doesn’t mind extended periods of saturated soils. In
fact, it thrives in moist soils with dappled shade. Its growth habit is
reminiscent of bamboo and grows to about 2-3 feet in height. ‘River
Mist’ has the added benefit of adding winter interest as it retains its
oat-like seed heads into winter, thus providing food for wildlife.
The second way in which
Phalaris arundinacea var. picta
P. arundinacea is introduced
John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy
is as an ornamental grass.
P. arundinacea ‘Picta’ and
P. arundinacea var. picta ‘Feesey’ are varieties with variegated leaves. They
are commonly called “gardener’s garters” or ribbongrass. They are garden
favorites because of their striking leaves, rapid spread and tolerance for wet
and saturated soils.
Chasmanthium latifolium ‘River Mist’
Ed Hedborn, Missouri Botanical Garden
Panicum virgatum ‘Ruby Ribbons’ Red Switch Grass
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Phalaris arundinacea var. picta
Missouri Botanical Garden
While this species can be managed with a combination of mowing,
wetland-approved herbicide and controlled burns, its spread is hastened by
continued planting by farmers and gardeners.
If striking color and contrast is what your garden is missing Panicum
virgatum ‘Ruby Ribbons’ may fill the void. While its leaves are not
variegated, they provide superb color with their wine-red tipped leaves
and flower panicles, the latter of which persist into winter. With foliage
that can grow to about four feet in height, this well-mannered grass is
tolerant of wet and dry soils and grows best in full sun to part shade.
Examples of ‘Ruby Ribbons’ can be found in Holden’s Display Garden.
Panicum virgatum ‘Cheyenne Sky’ Walters
Spring 2014
Leaves
This cool-season perennial grass crowds out native plant species by
spreading two ways, rhizomes and seeds. The seeds, which ripen in midJune, are dispersed by wind and water. But P. arundinacea most aggressively
spreads by rhizomes. In fact, the plant can sprout from even the smallest
remaining section of root. P. arundinacea is also able to grow in disturbed
soil, waterlogged soil and in high nutrient environments. This means that
it thrives in areas close to lawns, golf courses and farm runoff. This plant is
not only harmful to native plant populations, but it is also detrimental to
wildlife as it is a poor provider of food and habitat for animals such as song
birds and young mammals.
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