| Page 1 of 2 | 1 | 2 |
|
|
Pampas grass: digging out
I am soon moving into a new house. It has a 7 foot pampas grass plant
bang in front of the lounge window. I wish to remove the pampas grass. What is the best procedure -- chop back to 3 inches, then dig out? How deep are the roots on these things? Thanks Bruce |
|
| How deep are the roots on these things?
Not very - it is a grass. But they spread some way and are fairly matted. "fairly matted"!? I had to take a felling axe to ours, to split it up into small enough pieces to be lifted into the barrow. Weighed a ton. But marginally easier than the rootstock of a tree of the same diameter! Cheers John |
"John" wrote in message ... | How deep are the roots on these things? Not very - it is a grass. But they spread some way and are fairly matted. "fairly matted"!? I had to take a felling axe to ours, to split it up into small enough pieces to be lifted into the barrow. Weighed a ton. But marginally easier than the rootstock of a tree of the same diameter! Cheers John i`d agree with john my dad ended up using the chainsaw to cut ours up - its amazing really it has only been in for 5 years and we need to move it from near the front path it was split into four largish clumps(and heavy) which did really well in their new positions - making sure they were well-watered for their first year how long has yours been in twiglet |
Sacha wrote:
On 17/11/04 3:04 pm, in article , "John" wrote: How deep are the roots on these things? Not very - it is a grass. But they spread some way and are fairly matted. "fairly matted"!? I had to take a felling axe to ours, to split it up into small enough pieces to be lifted into the barrow. Weighed a ton. But marginally easier than the rootstock of a tree of the same diameter! I so hated the one in my last garden that I hired a mini-digger (and its driver!) and had the whole thing dug out and then its site deepened and widened to make a pond! Why is it that otherwise almost-rational people, such as me, dislike the things? Is it just the way they're planted, do you think? I suspect I could like them in certain situations, but can't visualize. Mike. |
On 17/11/04 6:21 pm, in article , "Mike Lyle"
wrote: snip Why is it that otherwise almost-rational people, such as me, dislike the things? Is it just the way they're planted, do you think? I suspect I could like them in certain situations, but can't visualize. Mike. I think from my pov it's because they're all-too-often planted in small gardens in suburban locations and so, in my mind, are forever associated with that. But that said, I just don't find anything beautiful in them at all, not one single thing and I've felt like that since I was a child. I don't think I've ever expressed my dislike to my children but my younger daughter has just bought a house in this village and has 'inherited' two Pampas grass and wants to wage all-out war on them! She might be able to get one out but the other is in her back garden, slap up against the fence on one side and a wall above a terrace on the other and with no access for a min-digger, unless we take the farmer's fence down. Hmmmmm....... ;-)) -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
I have a huge pond, a third of an acre and they look great on the far bank
reflected in the water. They are planted with Rogersias, Rheum's and the obligatory Gunneras and provide great plumes for my little boys to run about with every plant has its place doesn't it? "Sacha" wrote in message k... On 17/11/04 6:21 pm, in article , "Mike Lyle" wrote: snip Why is it that otherwise almost-rational people, such as me, dislike the things? Is it just the way they're planted, do you think? I suspect I could like them in certain situations, but can't visualize. Mike. I think from my pov it's because they're all-too-often planted in small gardens in suburban locations and so, in my mind, are forever associated with that. But that said, I just don't find anything beautiful in them at all, not one single thing and I've felt like that since I was a child. I don't think I've ever expressed my dislike to my children but my younger daughter has just bought a house in this village and has 'inherited' two Pampas grass and wants to wage all-out war on them! She might be able to get one out but the other is in her back garden, slap up against the fence on one side and a wall above a terrace on the other and with no access for a min-digger, unless we take the farmer's fence down. Hmmmmm....... ;-)) -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
The message
from "Mike Lyle" contains these words: Why is it that otherwise almost-rational people, such as me, dislike the things? Is it just the way they're planted, do you think? I suspect I could like them in certain situations, but can't visualize. I'd like one in a *VAST* pot. But not on my windowsill. -- Rusty Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar. http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
The message
from Sacha contains these words: I think from my pov it's because they're all-too-often planted in small gardens in suburban locations and so, in my mind, are forever associated with that. But that said, I just don't find anything beautiful in them at all, not one single thing and I've felt like that since I was a child. I don't think I've ever expressed my dislike to my children but my younger daughter has just bought a house in this village and has 'inherited' two Pampas grass and wants to wage all-out war on them! She might be able to get one out but the other is in her back garden, slap up against the fence on one side and a wall above a terrace on the other and with no access for a min-digger, unless we take the farmer's fence down. Hmmmmm....... ;-)) Glyphosate in the spring, then cover it with the makings of a compost heap, cover that with straw, cardboard, cut hair from the hairdresser, (Mens' is favourite as it's usually shorter.) old woollen carpet, etc, then water well - weel? - and cover with black plastic and peg it down. By the autumn you'll have a plot of marvellous friable ground and lots of very smug worms. -- Rusty Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar. http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
|
"Sacha" wrote in message k... On 17/11/04 6:21 pm, in article , "Mike Lyle" wrote: snip Why is it that otherwise almost-rational people, such as me, dislike the things? Is it just the way they're planted, do you think? I suspect I could like them in certain situations, but can't visualize. [...other contributions cut, with apols...] Keith Alexander wrote: I have a huge pond, a third of an acre and they look great on the far bank reflected in the water. They are planted with Rogersias, Rheum's and the obligatory Gunneras and provide great plumes for my little boys to run about with every plant has its place doesn't it? (Top-posting reversed.) I think you've got it! Not at all its native associations, but I can visualize your design. How long have yours been in there, by the way? Do they tend to invade, and crowd out the rheums? (I can't imagine even they are a match for the gunneras, but it might be an interesting fight.) I'd want to put a lot of spring bulbs there to provide early interest. You're very lucky: my ponds were on the northern wrong side of established broad-leafed trees. Mike. |
Janet Baraclough.. wrote:
The message from "Mike Lyle" contains these words: Why is it that otherwise almost-rational people, such as me, dislike the things? Is it just the way they're planted, do you think? I suspect I could like them in certain situations, but can't visualize. IMHO they look miserable, isolated in a little round hole in the middle of a lawn. I didn't fall for pampas until I saw it planted in large drifts, looking dramatic and vibrant as scores of creamy plumes waver in the breeze. Our neighbours are lovely, but we want a (tactful) visual screen between our front gardens. I'm growing a staggered curve of pampas plants (seedling to dustbin-size in 2 years)) at the back of a large boggy bed, behind gunnera manicata, variegated bullrushes, and purple phormium. Now you're talking! It's definitely the suburban "Look at me!" specimen planting which Fs it up. Like a monkey puzzle, but fortunately seasonal, and at least has the grace not to reach fifty feet. Drifts and such is what it wants. (Not that I think a drift of monkey puzzles would be a good idea: different train of thought.) Interesting that, like Keith, you have it in association with gunnera. Mike. |
Quote:
jay jay |
On 18/11/04 1:03, in article , "Mike Lyle"
wrote: Janet Baraclough.. wrote: snip Our neighbours are lovely, but we want a (tactful) visual screen between our front gardens. I'm growing a staggered curve of pampas plants (seedling to dustbin-size in 2 years)) at the back of a large boggy bed, behind gunnera manicata, variegated bullrushes, and purple phormium. Now you're talking! It's definitely the suburban "Look at me!" specimen planting which Fs it up. Like a monkey puzzle, but fortunately seasonal, and at least has the grace not to reach fifty feet. Drifts and such is what it wants. (Not that I think a drift of monkey puzzles would be a good idea: different train of thought.) Interesting that, like Keith, you have it in association with gunnera. I think that sort of planting works because both are being given their architectural heads. Even the one suburban specimen my daughter has in her back garden acts as a screen to the neighbour's garden - but we both still hate it! ;-) -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:40 AM. |
|
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
GardenBanter