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Re: [SG] Pampas Grass

In a message dated 98-04-08 18:35:10 EDT, Amber wrote:

<< >Does anybody know how pampas grass does in zone 4/5? >>

In the North Central Regional Extension Publication 573, "Ornamental Grasses
for Cold Climates", there is the following short paragraph on pampasgrass:

"What About Pampasgrass?

Depending on where you live, a reference to "pampasgrass" could mean any one
of three totally different grasses.  In the southern United States, Cortaderia
selloana is pampasgrass.  In the Upper Midwest, Miscanthus sacchariflorus is
pampasgrass.  In some catalogs, Saccharum ravennae (Erianthus ravennae) is
pampasgrass.  Common Names alone can't tell ou what a plant really is!"

So here in Minnesota, Miscanthus sacchariflorus is what people are talking
about when they say pampasgrass.  This grass also goes by the name Chinese
silvergrass and silver bannergrass and it has long, invasive rhizomes, which
can be a nuisance.

It sure is pretty though!

For anyone interested in ornamental grasses hardy in USDA zone 4a, this
publication is great.  It's based on a six-year (1987-1993) winter hardiness
study at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum of 165 ornamental grasses, 85 of
which were found to grow successfully here.  This bulletin reports on the
results of the study and makes cold-climate recommendations for culture,
maintenance, and special landscape uses.

Cindy Johnson
White Bear Lake, MN
zone 4a
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