Reed canary grass is a cool season rhizomatous bunch grass and a member of the grass family, Poaceae, that also includes bamboo, corn, and rice. It is native to North America, notably Canada, but has spread throughout the US except the Southeast. Plants grow in a variety of soil and light conditions including disturbed sites such as roadsides, ditches, railroad right of ways, and pastures but are a particular problem in wetland such as marshes, riparian areas, and floodplains. Although canary reed grass is useful for forage, shoreline stabilization, and erosion control, its invasive tendency make it a poor choice for the home garden.
Description: This coarse grass has hairless, hallow stems and grows up to eight feet tall. The leaves are flat, up to sixteen inches long, and have pointed tips and rough edges. The ligule, located where the leaf blade meets the stem, is membranous, has hairs, and may be torn. The flowers are produced in compact panicles in early summer and are green to pink and purple at first, changing to beige. The panicles are two to twelve inches long and can produce up to 600 seeds that remain viable in the soil for more than a year. Plants spread by seed, roots, and rhizomes and any piece of root or rhizome in the soil can produce a new plant.
Control: Canary reed grass is extremely difficult to eradicate and requires a combination of control methods over a sustained amount of time. Digging isolated plants or small infestations can be successful if all of the roots and rhizomes are removed. Mowing or cutting the grass before seed set can reduce the number of seeds produced but may actually stimulate growth unless repeated many times per year for several years or followed by covering with a dense mulch such as cardboard or newspaper for a year, or applying an herbicide. Only herbicides approved for wetlands should be used if the grass is growing in such an habitat. Various selective and non selective herbicides and combinations are available; check with local State Extension Office for information.
Karen