Friends

20 April 2019

PAMPAS


The Pampas in my front garden was old and almost dangerous. In case you didn’t know, the leaves (if that’s the right word) are like sharp blades. They cut, oh boy can they cut. Well, my plant, which had been in situ for many years, was so near the road that passers-by were likely to have a cheek slashed, depending on the strength of the wind.

It all started when Joe and I went abroad and witnessed the beauty of pampas in the hotel’s garden, and I agreed with Joe’s assessment that they would look good at the front of our new house. Little did we know then that the blessed thing would grow out of all proportion. Sadly, we were under the illusion that we could treat it like privet.

So! The plant had to go. Sad, because it was the first thing planted when we moved into the property. Such a tiny and attractive new addition to our frontage. You should have seen the size of it now. I did have a photograph but changes on-line seem to have removed all my pics and I can’t save any more.. Take my word for it, that pampas could slash the throat of any unknowing passer-by.

It had to go.

In discussion with a neighbour he suggested he tackled the removal of said plant. I agreed.

Now that it is down, it is the talking piece of the neighbours. Oh I wish I could show you a picture of it but since the Google upheaval everything has changed and I am totally lost.

What was once a huge plant, waving in the wind, is now like a HUGE straw bowl. Instead of growing on the inside, the pampas only grew round the edges. I didn’t know it was normal until I read an item about pampas in a gardening book.

I haven’t a clue what will happen next but a suggestion has been made by a neighbour that we fill the bowl with other plants. They must be joking – I couldn’t even climb into the damn thing.

23 comments:

  1. Valerie, on several occasions I've seen the plant you described but had no idea what it was called, or that the blades were that sharp and could be hazardous. WOW! Shame, because it's such an attractive-looking plant. Glad you disposed of it, and I'm sure you'll come with a creative way to fill the bowl.

    Hope you're having a lovely weekend, my friend. Happy Easter!

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    1. Ron, I noticed today that there is some new growth around the edges of the 'bowl' so it will be interesting to see how it grows. It may be that when the new growth is mature it may well cover the bowl'. Will keep you posted!

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  2. When I was a child in Southern California we had a very similar plant that was known as the Lord's Candle (I don't know what the proper name is). It was very beautiful and not at all sharp or dangerous. The white "leaves" were soft and fluffy.

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    1. Lord's Candle, I like that. The pampas flowers are soft and fluffy but it's the sword like leaves that are the danger to passing public.

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  3. Yes they are sharp. They do look resplendent when they show all their plumage. I have ordered some blue Pampas grass seeds and I hope they germinate and I can sell some of the plants.

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    1. Hi Dave, I've never heard of blue pampas grass. As I look out of the window I see there's new growth with shoots that look to be about six or more inches. There's no stopping a pampas!

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  4. We have something similar and love them. It was once a tiny plant, now it's huge and we have to cut the leaves back on the walkway. The roots grow so compact and could break a shovel! Glad you made a dent in it, for now :)

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    1. Hi kden, the trouble with mine is that it is too near the pavement where people walk. I imagined that one day someone would sue because of the danger to faces.

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  6. I've had a similar story with that plant and oh are they invasive! As to your comment on Robins not migrating in flocks in England it finally dawned on me. Yours and our are a different species. It seems our English first settlers her in America brought hundred of names with them like New York and New Jersey. Their even was a bird that vaguely looked similar to an English robin. And so our a differ version her was named a robin.... Happy Easter Val.

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    1. They certainly are invasive. I am watching mine all the time and, although it has only been a few days since my neighbour cut it down, already it has grown new shoots about six or more inches high.

      Hoping you are well. Happy Easter.

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  7. I can hardly imagine it, so perhaps you will soon get your photos sorted out again, as I would be interested to see a picture. But, also, I am sorry that it creates a problem for you. Maybe the answer is someone to dig it up and re-turf the area? Or fill it with nice soil and plant some charming little perennials there which will flower every year.

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  8. Hi Jenny. Two good ideas, if only I could bend or at least do something energetic.
    However, there is new growth on the pampas so, aside from entertaining the neighbours, I will leave it to see what happens next.

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  9. I know what you mean about plants that become invasive, Valerie. When we lived on the VA eastern shore, we had orange day lilies, which are lovely but short lived (hence their name) and they spread. We also had some hostas that took over the front garden area when we lived in NJ.

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    1. Oh I remember hostas abd the way they spread. I love plants but only when they obey my rules!!

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  10. Another mystery in the world of gardening and plan. Oh well mysteries can be fun tool. Troutbirder/Ray

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    1. Indeed, Ray. This mystery has given us a few laughs. The new growth is coming up fast so it will be interesting to see what develops.

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  11. I was actually thinking of buying one Valerie, but after reading this I'm not sure I want one now. Sounds dangerous!

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  12. Denise, it is a lovely sight when in full feathery flower but now you know what happens to them over the years I am not surprised you decline to purchase.

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  13. I now know more about Pampas than I ever knew before. Thanks for sharing, Val. I enjoyed learning this today.

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