Giant Grass/Seed heads

[CandoAviary]

I grew some of this bamboo type grass to shade the gouldian breeding building from the west sun this summer. I thinned it out about a month ago. These spikes of grass are at least 20 foot tall. The seed heads are about 2 foot long. I think the birds will love them for snacking and nest building

[lovemyfinch]

I think you may be right Candace.

[B CAMP]

Wow that looks good do you remember the name of the seeds

[CandoAviary]

Bill,
This is Arunda Donax, giant reed grass.
It can be very invasive...like some bamboos so contained planting is recomended. Also can produce silica and other noxious chemicals...rarely bothered by pest or grazers. It rarely seeds they say, but mine are full. Though they say the seed is sterile??? go figure. Propagation is done by rhizomes or stem cuttings.
These 3 raised beds that I have pictures were from one stalk per 6' container laid horizonally and watered. Sprouts like any running bamboo. Unbeliebable the spread and speed. Here is a good site that covers just about all information.www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/gram ... ./all.html
I mainly grew it for quick growth and shade to help keep the gouldian building cooler. Worked great and really neat looking. I will see if the birds will eat or build nest with.... if not I will grow purely for the ornamental factor. I grow many kinds of bamboo/grasses. This one is unique.

[B CAMP]

Thanks ,will look into

[JohnBoy]

Candace those are good looking seed heads. I have a stream behind my house. They have some beautiful wild grass growing there with seed heads but nothing like yours. I pick them all the time, my birds go crazy, escpecially the owls and societies. And it is so funny watching them trying to haul the 1-2 feet long stalk of grass to a nest.

[cindy]

Candace, where did you get the plants, I could do these in big planters in the corner of the pool enclosure.