is pampas grass illegal in nsw

Since publishing the feature, together with the kind folk over at Byron Bay Weddings, we’ve uncovered some seriously scary insights about the use of Pampas Grass and the threat it poses to our natural environment. These seeds are easily picked up by the wind and can travel up to 25 kilometres away. The demand for pampas grass took off after images from this wedding went viral. “It was a little stressful, as we were cutting it fine to get the product to Australia in time. Status: Pampas is a Declared Secondary and Prohibited weed. This weed can grow to a height to 2 to 4 m. The flower heads are held aloft above the grass. Caring For Pampas Grass. Prevention of seeding (temporary, used in low-risk areas) Pampas grass is a prolific seeder. While once in fashion in Britain, Pampas grass is nothing but a pesky weed in Australia. This week floral style blogger, Kyla Helgeson, guides us through the most romantic of the new wedding trends, styling with pampas grass. Garden plants are often the source of new infestations. Also by using our beautiful seasonal blooms available rather than out-of-season varieties that need to be imported.”, “Obviously, using Australian-grown botanicals and foliage will dramatically reduce flower miles as well, and we have so many stunning varieties to be incorporated into floral designs. The leaves grow to about 2 m long from a … Twitter; Facebook; Youtube Pampas grass suffered bad press for a few years, following the trend of having them as lone plants in the middle of the lawn. (Image: Ivy Road Photography) Biosecurity officers have raided florists on the north coast of New South Wales to seize an illegal noxious weed popularised by so-called Instagram weddings. However, there are some ideal conditions for best growth. Florals and foliage that works in with the natural beauty surrounding us, creating a seamless unity between the designs and the environment. Read in-depth answer here. When planning the florals for your wedding, you’ll probably ask yourself questions like, ‘which varieties are my favourite?’, ‘what’s in season?’, and ‘what aesthetic do I want to achieve?’. The plants can produce up to100,000 seeds per flower head, and these seeds can spread to a 25 km radius in the wind. Flower heads occur in summer with each plume producing up to 100,000 seeds. Some couples listen, but many just go and find a florist who'll provide pampas, legal or not. Waiting until the end of winter allows you to enjoy the plumes all year. This Regional Recommended Measure applies to Cortaderia jubata (pink pampas grass). Pampas Grass is a large, rhizomatous, perennial tussock grass up to 2 m wide and has tall plume-like spikes to 2-4 m high. Flower heads occur in summer with each plume producing up to 100,000 seeds. It is possible to achieve this wedding trend in Australia—all it takes is a little determination and a partnership with a well-informed florist or wedding planner. Pampas Grass is a tall tussock growing to over 3m. Pampas Grass Wedding Reception Decor, David Jenkins Photography, Romantic Arch Inspirations for Your Fairytale Wedding - Make Happy Memories. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. :^|; )"+e.replace(/([\.$? This plant type prefers full sun, but will also do well with partial shade. Land managers reduce the impact on priority assets. Tamworth Dubbo Sydney Moree rafton Cooma roken Hill. Perennial ragweed is a State prohibited weed. Fresher flowers, due to less time out of water. Pampas grass is a nonnative species used in ornamental plantings in Washington and is a known invasive species in California and is escaped in Oregon. They are large attractive feathery, silvery plume-like panicle to 3 m tall and produce vast numbers of viable seed from each flower. Considering this, is Pampas Grass illegal in NSW? Land managers prevent spread from their land where feasible. It’s also a fire hazard and helps to harbour vermin (eek!). There’s no such thing as legal pampas grass in NSW – no matter where it comes from or how it’s been treated, it’s illegal and anyone caught buying, selling or growing it can face a hefty fine. Information: The genus consists of 25 species, three of which are of direct interest to Australia. 1. So, if you’re the one getting married, that’s you! It has numerous fluffy seedheads with sharp, cutting leaves 1-2m long. There are two species in NSW: Common pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana), which is up to 6 m tall when in flower. Hornstrandaferðir – Stysta, Fljótlegasta og Ódýrasta leiðin! So, there you have it! Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) is a majestic large tussock grass from, as the name suggests, the pampas (grasslands) of South America.It’s quite a whopper: about 6 to 15 feet (2 to 4.5 m) in height and 3 to 8 feet (1 to 2.5 m) in diameter. (ABC North Coast: Julie Ray) Rous County Council's Kim Curtis said under the Biosecurity Act it was still illegal to sell pampas grass on the NSW north coast even if it had been irradiated because it was impossible to tell which plants had been treated. However, it’s not all doom and gloom—as we saw in Emma and Matt’s wedding, there are sustainable ways to source this controversial botanical specimen. As we allow ourselves to be swept up in a sea of Pinterest boards, inspirational images and Instagram screenshots, it’s easy to forget about the broader consequences of our stylistic decisions. Pink pampas grass (Cortaderia jubata) is up to 4.5 m tall when in flower. To learn more, we teamed up with Jaala and Kelley of Bower Botanicals, the talented botanical artists behind Emma and Matt’s wedding florals. Once established, Pampas Grass is very competitive, restricting the establishment of native trees. Agriculture and ecology bodies are very conscious of ensuring the area isn’t re-infected with this introduced species as it could cause major damage to the ecosystem—as are we.”, “As the Pampas Grass trend has really taken off in the floral—namely wedding—scene in Australia, it’s extremely important that we are using only product that has been imported or treated by way of irradiation, so that we continue to protect and preserve our beautiful natural environment.”. Under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 all noxious weeds must be controlled. What is pampas grass? The leaves are long, arching, and sharp edged with most of the tips held above the ground. Is the thought of coming up with... Pingback: Romantic Arch Inspirations for Your Fairytale Wedding - Make Happy Memories(), Pingback: Capim dos Pampas - Tendência de Decoração 2019 - Oh My Closet!(). As luck would have it, Cyclone Debbie coincided with when the product was scheduled to arrive, causing just a little bit of associated anxiety!”, “Then, as we guessed would happen, the product was stopped in customs and The Department of Agriculture notified us that the product would require irradiation treatment before it could be released. Photography by Ivy Road Photography + Lara Hotz. Pampas Grass Wedding Ceremony Arbour, Photography by Chris and Ruth. Perennial ragweed is not found in Victoria, but there are established populations in NSW that remain a threat. It produces arching green leaves and thick stalks bearing enormous grayish plumes that turn silvery white in fall and winter. All plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. 4. There's no such thing as legal pampas grass in NSW – no matter where it comes from or how it's been treated, it's illegal and anyone caught buying, selling or growing it can face a hefty fine. Many brides were demanding florists sell the banned plants for … In this way, is Pampas Grass illegal in NSW? Leaves are: finely serrated on the edges; dull green, upright and arched (common pampas) If seeds are accidentally introduced and a weed establishes, the plant becomes super competitive and restricts the growth of native plants. Pampas grass is surprisingly self-sufficient, and can thrive in a wide variety of conditions. As a Prohibited weed it is illegal to transport or propagate pampas. 2. Habit: clumping grass about 1 – 1.5 m across, with fluffy flower heads on tall stems, Flowers: white, pink or mauve, and present from mid-March to late May, Fruit: plants can produce up to 100,000 seeds per flower head, Dispersal: Wind spreads the seed. Join our selection of carefully curated brands! ... because it tends to propagate extremely fast. Is pampas grass poisonous to humans? In addition to the environmental wins, there are also a bunch of other perks when using local floral varieties. Pampas grass is native to South America and is considered a weed in most Australian states and territories as it competes with native vegetation and is a fire hazard. Many homeowners use it to mark property lines, hide ugly fences or even as a windbreak.Pampas grass can grow quite large, over 6-foot (2 m.) with a 3-foot (1 m.) spread. Every once in a while, clumps of pampas grass form smaller clumps off to the side. Biosecurity officers have raided florists on the north coast of New South Wales to seize an illegal noxious weed popularised by so-called Instagram weddings. Sun. Pampas grass is native to South America and is considered a weed in most Australian states and territories as it competes with native vegetation and is a fire hazard. It’s great to see such an influential local company doing their bit to spread the word and make a stand on environmental issues that affect us all.”. Capim dos Pampas - Tendência de Decoração 2019 - Oh My Closet. Pampas Grass is now deemed illegal to use in NSW - we choose to use faux pampas grass and ostrich feathers to recreate the same luscious look at Bone & Willow! Pampas Grass is a tall tussock growing to over 3m. Particularly Mid to Lower Mountains. Small plants can be hand pulled. After a payment of around $80.00, the treatment was conducted and two weeks later, the product was released—just in time for Emma and Matt’s big day!”. Bag seed heads. It competes with native vegetation, threatens forestry and is a fire hazard. Areas of NSW where pampas grass is declared a noxious weed. Pampas Grass is a very large, tussocky, perennial with leaves up to 1 metre long. This led us to research suppliers internationally and finally finding one in the USA who specialised in dried floral supplies,” explains Jaala. Leaves contain silica which can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs and are highly flammable when dry. In 2014, escaped populations of pampas grass were discovered in Washington State, with one infestation having almost 500 plants. As Jaala and Kelley can attest, while Pampas Grass offers a beautiful addition to floral installations, there’s a lot more to consider. Pampas Grass was introduced into Australia in the late 19th century as an ornamental garden plant and was also used for stock fodder and as a wind break. PRIMEFACT 697, PAMPAS GRASS Control Class 3 Control Class 4. Pampas Grass Wedding Ceremony Arbour, Photography by Koby Brown. The plant should not be bought, sold, grown, carried or released into the environment. Pampas grass has also become popular in retail floral arrangements. function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp("(? is it illegal to cut pampas grass. Soil Pampas grasses can spread out via rhizomes. Most of us don’t stop to question, ‘is it illegal to use these flowers?’. Your go-to guides for all of your celebration inspiration, Pampas Grass Wedding Ceremony Setting, Carlie Statsky Photography, Pampas Grass Wedding Ceremony Setting, Ivy Road Photography. Pampas grass is a popular landscape plant that is commonly seen in the home garden. We’ve seen it popping up in weddings right across the globe—and if you keep up with our real wedding features, you would have seen the incredible Pampas Grass installation enveloping Emma and Matt’s ceremony setting. Pampas Grass has been gazetted as a noxious weed in all areas of the state. Some couples listen, but many just go and find a florist who'll provide pampas, legal or not. Agriculture and ecology bodies are very conscious of ensuring the area isn’t re-infected with this introduced species as it could cause major damage to the ecosystem—as are we.” The act applies to all landowners and occupiers. As such, the grass is banned in NSW. When to Cut Back Pampas Grass. It grows as a large tussock-forming grass up to several metres wide. Pampas Grass Wedding Reception Decor, Photography by Natalie Norton. Pampas grass can infest mangroves, riverbanks, and heathlands. Pampas grass is a quickly growing grass that forms massive clumps along roadsides, steep cliffs, river banks, and open areas that have been disturbed by human activities or natural disturbances. Lately, I have been seeing my social media feeds filled with this fluffy, feathery, natural grass, so eye catching, so beautiful, called pampas grass.It has been a floral trend that started overseas and it’s now hitting our shores. As a florist, it’s frustrating. More cost-effective for the couple as it cuts down on the delivery process from interstate or overseas—and, of course, flower miles. Pampas grass is a perennial grass that grows in clumps up to 1.5 m wide. Scientific Name: Cortaderia species. It’s also been a popular choice amongst couples wanting to stick to a neutral colour scheme. There are up to 100,000 seeds per flower head. Given the threat posed by this plant, we thought we’d dig a little deeper to look at how couples can source florals sustainably. A. Maguire. We’re sold. Pampas grass, though widely available in florists worldwide, is actually an invasive noxious weed that threatens native Australian species, harbours vermin and presents a huge fire risk. We are so excited to share a peek into the second bridal drop by HOORAY! We are very passionate about using these varieties in our work and draw much of our inspiration from our natural environment; both from our front door step and what Australia has to offer in general.”. Kelley explains, “Upon choosing your wedding florist—or, even in the research phase—you can absolutely ask your florist where they generally source their flowers from, or specific varieties you’re partial to for your wedding.”, “If sustainability is of the utmost importance to you, ask your florist what is available to them locally to create the style you are wanting for your wedding—work with your florist to create this outcome, and use organic florals where possible.”, Jaala says, “by incorporating as many locally grown and sourced flowers and foliage. Pampas Grass Wedding Decor, Photography by River + Fern. When you buy from a local grower, their business flourishes and it creates more local business opportunities. Pampas Grass Wedding Ceremony Decor, David Jenkins Photography. The plants are large tussock-forming grasses growing to a height of about 2 m with stems to 6 m. Where possible land holders must eradicate these plants. Recent wedding flower trends have seen a huge increase in the popularity of Pampas Grass. The Noxious Weeds Act 1993 is an instrument serving the protection of our environment, general health of the community and agricultural production. It’s not just a pretty plant; it’s a potential threat to our environment. The best time to cut back pampas grass is in late winter just before the plant begins sending up new foliage. Now Biosecurity NSW is cracking down on the popular floral wedding accoutrement because of its highly invasive and flammable properties. It grows to form large clumps that can become a fire hazard and harbour vermin such as rats. Slash back the sharp leaves of large tussocks before grubbing out to remove all rhizomes. Back to weed profile. Has your little one come home asking for a dinosaur-themed party? Search ‘pampas grass’ on Pinterest and you’ll be inundated with images of how well it’s used to create height, texture and drama to wedding installations, often alongside dried palms (as featured above). Pampas grass is illegal in NSW because it's a fire hazard and damages vegetation. There's no such thing as legal pampas grass in NSW – no matter where it comes from or how it's been treated, it's illegal and anyone caught buying, selling or growing it can face a hefty fine. Jaala explains, “Cortaderia Selloana, or ‘Pampas Grass’, is an aggressive noxious weed that was eradicated from the Northern Rivers area in Australia. Jaala adds, “we know that Byron Bay Weddings have backed this passionately, asking all practitioners and people involved in the creation of weddings in the area, that all Pampas Grass being used comes accompanied with a treatment certificate. Supporting local farmers and growers. Figure 4. Big thanks to Jaala and Kelley of Bower Botanicals for sharing their knowledge with us, and to Che and the team at Byron Bay Weddings for spreading the word about this important environmental message. Plus, there are big fines associated with using untreated Pampas Grass—not only for the florist or company using the product, but also for the client. Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) is very similar to pink pampas grass (Cortaderia jubata) and New Zealand pampas grass (Cortaderia richardii). NSW Distribution Map - Pampas grass. Manly Andrew 'Boy' Charlton Aquatic Centre. The support also enables them to increase crops and supply more varieties in the future. Land managers mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Jaala explains, “Cortaderia Selloana, or ‘Pampas Grass’, is an aggressive noxious weed that was eradicated from the Northern Rivers area in Australia. favourites, Shona Joy. 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