blue dune grass spreading more than I thought

Morristown, NJ

I planted 2 blue dune grasses as part of the project described at this link

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1371795/

That was fall 2014 ... now at spring 2016, the blue dune seems to be sprouting in nearby areas where I do not want (in between stepping stones on the lawn, see pic, where I planted the grass is on the left, and now you can see new growth coming up in the lawn at lower left, and between the stones to the right).

1) Does anyone know if the blue dune growth in the lawn is from the grass spreading underground, or does it spread by dropping seeds, or some other way?

I knew the blue dune would grow high and wide, but I assumed that was just seasonal growth that would originate only from where I dropped it in the ground and could be deadheaded each year. But if it is going to spread into the lawn like in the picture, then blue dune was the wrong choice for the location, and will probably dig them out, before it spreads into the lawn even more.

Thanks for any insight you can provide!

Thumbnail by fatima526
Calgary, AB(Zone 3b)

Blue dune grass, Leymus arenarius, is an invasive species, spreading by rhizomes,
so it's just doing what it does.
http://extension.illinois.edu/hortanswers/plantdetail.cfm?PlantID=611&PlantTypeID=3

If that's alarming, it would be best to remove it before it really gets going.

If you'd like something that looks similar but is a clumping grass (that is, not invasive;
doesn't spread rhizomatously), have a look at blue oat grass, Helictotrichon sempervirens:
https://www.google.ca/search?q=helictotrichon+sempervirens&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjJwIiQht3LAhWHrYMKHQXuChUQ_AUIBygB&biw=1284&bih=1232

Edit: Again, text is not wrapping properly at this site.

This message was edited Mar 25, 2016 5:02 PM

Liberty Hill, TX(Zone 8a)

The text is messed up bc the links are too long. Not saying that's how it should be but that's how it is.

Morristown, NJ

Thanks altagardener, that is very helpful info. I will get them out of the ground ASAP. The oat grass looks to be a great alternative, will definitely look into that. Now I know to investigate invasive vs. clumping when making plant selections!

Calgary, AB(Zone 3b)

Yes, if you're interested in ornamental grasses and want to avoid invasive ones, look for the term "clumping" - most sales sites will specify this.

Thanks, 1lisac. Yes, that must be the reason. It would be nice if they'd fix it. I have pointed it out a few times. It's happened periodically in the past (maybe when some change has been made and a detail has been forgotten from the programming?) and is occurring frequently again.

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