I'm madly sowing seeds as usual at this time of the year and trying to
use some I had left over from the HPS orders. I was unable to find
mention of this plant in any of my books but on the Internet I came
across a description and found that it is described as a Class A
noxious weed in some American states. If this is the case why on earth
would anyone go to the trouble of collecting the seeds and sending
them to the HPS to be laboriously packed a few at a time in little
packets? I was hoping I would find that it is an interesting grass
type plant. Is anyone familiar with it? Diana

In article ,
writes
I'm madly sowing seeds as usual at this time of the year and trying to
use some I had left over from the HPS orders. I was unable to find
mention of this plant in any of my books but on the Internet I came
across a description and found that it is described as a Class A
noxious weed in some American states. If this is the case why on earth
would anyone go to the trouble of collecting the seeds and sending
them to the HPS to be laboriously packed a few at a time in little
packets? I was hoping I would find that it is an interesting grass
type plant. Is anyone familiar with it? Diana

No plant is a weed unless it is growing where it is not wanted. In your
case, you wished to propagate Avena sterilis, so for you it need not be
considered a weed.

Avenae are a group of plants listed by RHS as Helictotrichon, a genus in
the Gramineae/Poaceae family. They are described by RHS as: 'A group of
about 50 species of russock-forming, deciduous and evergreen perennial
grasses from rocky slopes, wasteland, field edges etc. in temperate
Europe, W. Asia and N. America. ...... Use in a herbaceous or mixed
border, or for gravel plantings, where they associate well with purple
or silver-leaved plants.'
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.

The message
from contains these words:

I'm madly sowing seeds as usual at this time of the year and trying to
use some I had left over from the HPS orders. I was unable to find
mention of this plant in any of my books but on the Internet I came
across a description and found that it is described as a Class A
noxious weed in some American states. If this is the case why on earth
would anyone go to the trouble of collecting the seeds and sending
them to the HPS to be laboriously packed a few at a time in little
packets?

Because different areas ban different plants according to their own
climate, ecology and agriculture. Britain's climate/ecology might not
support a particular American insect, mould or rust so growing their
host plant here is not a problem.

Janet.

Hello Diana'
I have found Avena sterilis in a book (Michael Wright's 'The Complete
Handbook of Garden Plants'). There is no picture, but it is desribed thus:
"Animated Oat, size 60-90 x 30 cm; spikelets and seed-heads in open 30cm
panicles, awns to 6cm long (twist and flex with changes of moisture in
air)." It is an annual grass ("Treat as hardy annuals...").
A perennial Avena is mentioned elsewhere in the same book, under the synonym
Helictotrichon (Avena) sempervirens. Perhaps this synonym will be more
helpful in your research.
There is nothing in either entry (in my book) which suggests aggressive
invasiveness. Try planting it with your fingers crossed! {:-))
Spider
wrote in message
...
I'm madly sowing seeds as usual at this time of the year and trying to
use some I had left over from the HPS orders. I was unable to find
mention of this plant in any of my books but on the Internet I came
across a description and found that it is described as a Class A
noxious weed in some American states. If this is the case why on earth
would anyone go to the trouble of collecting the seeds and sending
them to the HPS to be laboriously packed a few at a time in little
packets? I was hoping I would find that it is an interesting grass
type plant. Is anyone familiar with it? Diana

Hello Diana'
I have found Avena sterilis in a book (Michael Wright's 'The Complete
Handbook of Garden Plants'). There is no picture, but it is desribed thus:
"Animated Oat, size 60-90 x 30 cm; spikelets and seed-heads in open 30cm
panicles, awns to 6cm long (twist and flex with changes of moisture in
air)." It is an annual grass ("Treat as hardy annuals...").
A perennial Avena is mentioned elsewhere in the same book, under the synonym
Helictotrichon (Avena) sempervirens. Perhaps this synonym will be more
helpful in your research.
There is nothing in either entry (in my book) which suggests aggressive
invasiveness. Try planting it with your fingers crossed! {:-))
Spider
wrote in message
...
I'm madly sowing seeds as usual at this time of the year and trying to
use some I had left over from the HPS orders. I was unable to find
mention of this plant in any of my books but on the Internet I came
across a description and found that it is described as a Class A
noxious weed in some American states. If this is the case why on earth
would anyone go to the trouble of collecting the seeds and sending
them to the HPS to be laboriously packed a few at a time in little
packets? I was hoping I would find that it is an interesting grass
type plant. Is anyone familiar with it? Diana

Hello Diana'
I have found Avena sterilis in a book (Michael Wright's 'The Complete
Handbook of Garden Plants'). There is no picture, but it is desribed thus:
"Animated Oat, size 60-90 x 30 cm; spikelets and seed-heads in open 30cm
panicles, awns to 6cm long (twist and flex with changes of moisture in
air)." It is an annual grass ("Treat as hardy annuals...").
A perennial Avena is mentioned elsewhere in the same book, under the synonym
Helictotrichon (Avena) sempervirens. Perhaps this synonym will be more
helpful in your research.
There is nothing in either entry (in my book) which suggests aggressive
invasiveness. Try planting it with your fingers crossed! {:-))
Spider
wrote in message
...
I'm madly sowing seeds as usual at this time of the year and trying to
use some I had left over from the HPS orders. I was unable to find
mention of this plant in any of my books but on the Internet I came
across a description and found that it is described as a Class A
noxious weed in some American states. If this is the case why on earth
would anyone go to the trouble of collecting the seeds and sending
them to the HPS to be laboriously packed a few at a time in little
packets? I was hoping I would find that it is an interesting grass
type plant. Is anyone familiar with it? Diana

On Fri, 19 Mar 2004 14:40:18 -0000, "Spider"
wrote:

Hello Diana'
I have found Avena sterilis in a book (Michael Wright's 'The Complete
Handbook of Garden Plants'). There is no picture, but it is desribed thus:
"Animated Oat, size 60-90 x 30 cm; spikelets and seed-heads in open 30cm
panicles, awns to 6cm long (twist and flex with changes of moisture in
air)." It is an annual grass ("Treat as hardy annuals...").
A perennial Avena is mentioned elsewhere in the same book, under the synonym
Helictotrichon (Avena) sempervirens. Perhaps this synonym will be more
helpful in your research.
There is nothing in either entry (in my book) which suggests aggressive
invasiveness. Try planting it with your fingers crossed! {:-))
Spider

Hello Spider,
Thank you very much (and the other respondents). I like grasses
therefore I will try growing them on in some big plastic pots I was
going to throw away. It is obviously vigorous as roots are appearing
at the bottom of the 3" pot I sowed them in only a few days ago.
I just love sowing from seed but always do it all too early and run
out of space. Diana

On Fri, 19 Mar 2004 14:40:18 -0000, "Spider"
wrote:

Hello Diana'
I have found Avena sterilis in a book (Michael Wright's 'The Complete
Handbook of Garden Plants'). There is no picture, but it is desribed thus:
"Animated Oat, size 60-90 x 30 cm; spikelets and seed-heads in open 30cm
panicles, awns to 6cm long (twist and flex with changes of moisture in
air)." It is an annual grass ("Treat as hardy annuals...").
A perennial Avena is mentioned elsewhere in the same book, under the synonym
Helictotrichon (Avena) sempervirens. Perhaps this synonym will be more
helpful in your research.
There is nothing in either entry (in my book) which suggests aggressive
invasiveness. Try planting it with your fingers crossed! {:-))
Spider

Hello Spider,
Thank you very much (and the other respondents). I like grasses
therefore I will try growing them on in some big plastic pots I was
going to throw away. It is obviously vigorous as roots are appearing
at the bottom of the 3" pot I sowed them in only a few days ago.
I just love sowing from seed but always do it all too early and run
out of space. Diana

In article ,
writes
I'm madly sowing seeds as usual at this time of the year and trying to
use some I had left over from the HPS orders. I was unable to find
mention of this plant in any of my books but on the Internet I came
across a description and found that it is described as a Class A
noxious weed in some American states. If this is the case why on earth
would anyone go to the trouble of collecting the seeds and sending
them to the HPS to be laboriously packed a few at a time in little
packets? I was hoping I would find that it is an interesting grass
type plant. Is anyone familiar with it? Diana

Whether a plant becomes a pest or not depends not only on the plant, but
on the environment. A decorative plant may in some environments escape
from cultivation and play havoc with the ecology or the economy. For
example, Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam and
_Rhododendron ponticum_ were all introduced to this country as
ornamental plants; they are all now considered weeds. It's quite
possible that a plant is a desirable horticultural object in one country
and a noxious weed in another.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

In article ,
writes
I'm madly sowing seeds as usual at this time of the year and trying to
use some I had left over from the HPS orders. I was unable to find
mention of this plant in any of my books but on the Internet I came
across a description and found that it is described as a Class A
noxious weed in some American states. If this is the case why on earth
would anyone go to the trouble of collecting the seeds and sending
them to the HPS to be laboriously packed a few at a time in little
packets? I was hoping I would find that it is an interesting grass
type plant. Is anyone familiar with it? Diana

Whether a plant becomes a pest or not depends not only on the plant, but
on the environment. A decorative plant may in some environments escape
from cultivation and play havoc with the ecology or the economy. For
example, Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam and
_Rhododendron ponticum_ were all introduced to this country as
ornamental plants; they are all now considered weeds. It's quite
possible that a plant is a desirable horticultural object in one country
and a noxious weed in another.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

In article , Stewart Robert Hinsley
writes

Whether a plant becomes a pest or not depends not only on the plant, but
on the environment. A decorative plant may in some environments escape
from cultivation and play havoc with the ecology or the economy. For
example, Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam and
_Rhododendron ponticum_ were all introduced to this country as
ornamental plants; they are all now considered weeds. It's quite
possible that a plant is a desirable horticultural object in one country
and a noxious weed in another.

This is very true. In the same way, plants which are generally
considered to be weeds can be welcome and useful in some gardens. I use
comfrey and nettles for composting, mulching, infusions etc., so those
plants are not weeds in my garden. I don't have to plant them or
cultivate them, they grow of their own accord. I clear them from areas
such as vegetable plots, flower beds etc. along with other unwanted
plants, but even there they return as compost etc. In the end there are
only two kinds of plants - natural and cultivated, and gardeners depend
upon both.
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.

"Stewart Robert Hinsley" wrote
in message ...
In article ,

writes
I'm madly sowing seeds as usual at this time of the year
and trying to
use some I had left over from the HPS orders. I was
unable to find
mention of this plant in any of my books but on the
Internet I came
across a description and found that it is described as a
Class A
noxious weed in some American states. If this is the case
why on earth
would anyone go to the trouble of collecting the seeds
and sending
them to the HPS to be laboriously packed a few at a time
in little
packets? I was hoping I would find that it is an
interesting grass
type plant. Is anyone familiar with it? Diana

Whether a plant becomes a pest or not depends not only on
the plant, but
on the environment. A decorative plant may in some
environments escape
from cultivation and play havoc with the ecology or the
economy. For
example, Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Himalayan
Balsam and
_Rhododendron ponticum_ were all introduced to this
country as
ornamental plants; they are all now considered weeds. It's
quite
possible that a plant is a desirable horticultural object
in one country
and a noxious weed in another.

But you must admit that Himalayan Balsam is a rather
handsome weed. {:-))

Franz

"Stewart Robert Hinsley" wrote
in message ...
In article ,

writes
I'm madly sowing seeds as usual at this time of the year
and trying to
use some I had left over from the HPS orders. I was
unable to find
mention of this plant in any of my books but on the
Internet I came
across a description and found that it is described as a
Class A
noxious weed in some American states. If this is the case
why on earth
would anyone go to the trouble of collecting the seeds
and sending
them to the HPS to be laboriously packed a few at a time
in little
packets? I was hoping I would find that it is an
interesting grass
type plant. Is anyone familiar with it? Diana

Whether a plant becomes a pest or not depends not only on
the plant, but
on the environment. A decorative plant may in some
environments escape
from cultivation and play havoc with the ecology or the
economy. For
example, Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Himalayan
Balsam and
_Rhododendron ponticum_ were all introduced to this
country as
ornamental plants; they are all now considered weeds. It's
quite
possible that a plant is a desirable horticultural object
in one country
and a noxious weed in another.

But you must admit that Himalayan Balsam is a rather
handsome weed. {:-))

Franz

"Stewart Robert Hinsley" wrote
in message ...
In article ,

writes
I'm madly sowing seeds as usual at this time of the year
and trying to
use some I had left over from the HPS orders. I was
unable to find
mention of this plant in any of my books but on the
Internet I came
across a description and found that it is described as a
Class A
noxious weed in some American states. If this is the case
why on earth
would anyone go to the trouble of collecting the seeds
and sending
them to the HPS to be laboriously packed a few at a time
in little
packets? I was hoping I would find that it is an
interesting grass
type plant. Is anyone familiar with it? Diana

Whether a plant becomes a pest or not depends not only on
the plant, but
on the environment. A decorative plant may in some
environments escape
from cultivation and play havoc with the ecology or the
economy. For
example, Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Himalayan
Balsam and
_Rhododendron ponticum_ were all introduced to this
country as
ornamental plants; they are all now considered weeds. It's
quite
possible that a plant is a desirable horticultural object
in one country
and a noxious weed in another.

But you must admit that Himalayan Balsam is a rather
handsome weed. {:-))

Franz

"Stewart Robert Hinsley" wrote
in message ...
In article ,

writes
I'm madly sowing seeds as usual at this time of the year
and trying to
use some I had left over from the HPS orders. I was
unable to find
mention of this plant in any of my books but on the
Internet I came
across a description and found that it is described as a
Class A
noxious weed in some American states. If this is the case
why on earth
would anyone go to the trouble of collecting the seeds
and sending
them to the HPS to be laboriously packed a few at a time
in little
packets? I was hoping I would find that it is an
interesting grass
type plant. Is anyone familiar with it? Diana

Whether a plant becomes a pest or not depends not only on
the plant, but
on the environment. A decorative plant may in some
environments escape
from cultivation and play havoc with the ecology or the
economy. For
example, Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Himalayan
Balsam and
_Rhododendron ponticum_ were all introduced to this
country as
ornamental plants; they are all now considered weeds. It's
quite
possible that a plant is a desirable horticultural object
in one country
and a noxious weed in another.

But you must admit that Himalayan Balsam is a rather
handsome weed. {:-))

Franz