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Top five Australian native grasses seeds

Sep 21, 2017 | 0 comments

Usually, it’s towards the end of the year that the lists start to circulate – favourite this, top 100 that, best this, best that. At Mckays Seeds we like to get ours in early to avoid saturation and with spring well and truly upon us, without further ado we are happy to roll out our list of top five Australian native grasses.

Why Native grass?

We live in a country that is known for its extreme weather conditions – hot and dry or biting cold winds or chill in the South, and balmy and humid in the North and West.

So, why would we encourage Australians to consider native grasses?

Fundamentally, they are far better suited to the Australian climate, are drought tolerant, need less water than exotic or foreign species, will adapt to the surrounds naturally, be healthier and prosper accordingly. They will also benefit the local wildlife and the environment.

Did you know?

Native grasses were also grown by Australia’s first people.

It is a little-known fact that Aboriginal people prior to white settlement cultivated native plants and milled the grass to make flour, to show how the native grain can be used to make bread.

Evidence had been found in a grindstone discovered at an archaeological site in New South Wales that was shown to have been used to grind seeds into starch for cooking more than 30,000 years ago.

Bunurong man, historian and author Bruce Pascoe says that, ‘native Australian grasses and plants only need the available moisture that Australia provides and only need the available fertility and they’re adapted to Australian pests.’

Australian native grasses are best suited to?

While Australian native grasses are incredibly robust, the climate and your location will determine how well they will thrive and it is important that you conduct research to match the grass to your environment and climate. We have saved you the time and compiled our top five list of Australian native grasses, categorised by climate, location and uses.

For the Northerners: Warm Climate = warm season grass

For warmer parts of the country, season grass will be the answer. These grow in periods of warm weather and will go dormant and lose colour when exposed to the cold.

1. Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra)

Where does it grow?

Where doesn’t it grow?Kangaroo grass will grow in just about every conceivable location of Australia – from the desert to the Alps! It reaches a height of 40-90cm and is able to be mown down to a high lawn height of 8-10cm. If mowing isn’t your thing, you’ll be happy to know that you won’t have to mow more than a couple of times a year.

Best used for: Landscaping, revegetation – use as an ornamental feature in your rockeries, as part of a native habitat garden or can be grown in a more formal garden for its interesting colour and texture.

2. Redgrass (Bothriochloa macra) – it’s called redgrass because it’s red.

Where does it grow?

Redgrass is a reddish green blade that will happily grow in coastal areas and tableland and naturally grows low.

Redgrass is drought tolerant. It’s roots grow rapidly and can grow up to 1.5 metres below the soil surface and can reach a height of 10cm. Redgrass won’t cope well with cold snaps and frosts, but will grow under low fertility conditions and responds positively to grazing and mowing.

Best used for: ornamental for landscaping, soil conservation,soil conservation in heavily grazed areas in summer, as well as on degraded sites and river banks. Redgrass has been used successfully in light roughs in golf courses, as well as lawns and in rehabilitation.

3. Wallaby Grass (Austrodanthonia caespitose) – the quintessential Aussie battler
Where does it grow?

Wallaby grass has the enviable quality of being one of the most robust, tough and durable Australian native grasses and will grow in all temperate climates across Australia. It is drought and frost tolerant, will also thrive in poor soil, and will grow without the need for irrigation – no matter how harsh the summer has been.

Best used for: trapping silt and impurities in streams and for stabilising creek, landscaping, revegetation, pasture, and horticulture.

4. Weeping Grass (Microlaena stipoides or Ehrharta stipoides) –it even looks like grass

Where will it grow?

While weeping grass is perfect for cooler climates and thrives in wetter areas of the country, it is another tough and durable campaigner and is drought, frost, salt and acid tolerant.

Weeping grass is able to be mown to any height and will result in a thick mat-like surface, and requires little maintenance.

Best used for:roadsides, municipal parks and gardens domestic lawns, golf course roughs, pastures in acid soils of moderate to high rainfall and revegetation in conjunction with other native grasses.

5. Spear Grass (Austrostipa spp.) – so durable it even stands in the way of fire

Where does it grow?

Spear grass should be known as supergrass for its durability and ability to resist grass fires. It is better suited to tropical and subtropical areas and is another summer-growing grass.

It will grow to approximately I metre, has an extremely high drought and heat tolerance, and has a high tolerance to poor condition soil.

Best used for:  Landscaping, Revegetation, Horticulture, and will make an attractive feature.

For more direction on how to maintain your Australian native grass, check out our blog on Growing a hardy and Beautiful Native Grass.

Does perennial ryegrass come back every year?

Perennial ryegrass is a type of grass that does indeed come back every year. This is in contrast to annual ryegrass, which only lives for one growing season before dying off. Perennial ryegrass is a popular choice for lawns and turfgrass because it is very hardy and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. It is also relatively low-maintenance, requiring only occasional mowing and watering.

How do you care for perennial ryegrass?

Perennial ryegrass is a versatile and hardy grass that is easy to care for. It tolerates a wide range of soils and climates, and is relatively drought-resistant. However, like all grasses, it does require some basic maintenance in order to stay healthy and looking its best.

Mowing is the most important aspect of care for perennial ryegrass. It should be mowed regularly, at least once a week, to keep it from getting too tall. The height of the grass should be kept at around 3 inches. This will ensure that the grass stays dense and lush, and prevents it from developing bare patches.

Perennial ryegrass also needs to be fertilized periodically. A slow-release fertilizer should be applied every 6-8 weeks during the growing season. This will help the grass to maintain its green color and keep it from getting thin and weak.

Finally, perennial ryegrass needs to be watered regularly. It should be watered deeply and evenly, about 1 inch per week. This will help it to develop a deep root system and stay healthy during periods of drought.

How long does perennial ryegrass take to establish?

Perennial ryegrass is a type of grass that is often used for lawns, pastures, and other areas where a grassy surface is desired. It is a fast-growing grass that can establish itself quickly, often in as little as two weeks. Once established, it is a hardy grass that can tolerate a wide range of conditions, from drought to heavy traffic.

What time of year do you plant perennial ryegrass?

Perennial ryegrass is a cool-season grass, which means that it thrives in cooler temperatures and goes dormant in hot weather. In general, you should plant perennial ryegrass between Autumn and Spring, when the temperatures are cool. This gives the grass the best chance to establish itself.

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