Yates Zero Tough Heavy Duty Weedkiller - Ready to Use
Extremely effective at controlling the toughest, hard-to-kill and invasive weeds and grasses (such as ivy, gorse & bamboo) - roots and all.
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Cortaderia spp.
Common Pampas (Cortaderia selloana)
What is Pampas Grass?
There are two weedy pampas species in NZ: Common Pampas (Cortaderia selloana) and Purple Pampas (Cortaderia jubata).
Native to South America, this attractive but highly invasive grass was introduced into NZ in the 1800s. Tussock forming pampas grass (AKA ‘cutty grass’) was intended for use as a shelter plant and a source of fodder, but because of its ability to spread rapidly by wind-blown seed, it quickly escaped and naturalised in felled bush areas and along roadsides.
In situations where pampas can get ample sunlight, it invades disturbed ground or regenerating bush, growing into dense stands that crowd out native vegetation. Pampas tussocks also provide comfortable homes for rodents and possums.
Purple Pampas (Cortaderia jubata)
Pampas grass grows in clumps, with long, slender bluish-green leaves, up to 2m long. The leaves narrow to pointed tips, with very sharp finely toothed edges and a distinct mid-vein running along the centre. From mid-summer through autumn, large feathery flowers appear at the top of thick stems, reaching 2-4 m in height. These fluffy plumes are white, cream, or purple, aging to a light grubby-looking brown. Each plume or flower head can contain 100,000 seeds, which are easily dispersed by wind, water, animals, machinery and humans. Plants build up stumpy bases as they grow, which have distinctive ‘curly’ dried leaves that resemble wood shavings.
Pampas grass is often mistaken for the benign native Toetoe, but it’s easy to tell the flowers apart; pampas flowers are erect and stand up straight, whereas toetoe plumes droop down. Toetoe also flowers in spring to early summer (before Christmas), much earlier than pampas grass (which flowers after Christmas).
Toetoe Austroderia spp.
How to control Pampas Grass
Spray with Yates Zero Super Concentrate Weedkiller with added Yates Zero Pulse Penetrant, when the tussocks are actively growing. Regrowth and seedlings may require repeat sprays.
For home gardens or smaller areas, Yates Zero Tough Weedkiller will control pampas grass very effectively.
If flower plumes are present, carefully bag up the entire heads (without shaking them) and place them in the rubbish bin.
Areas impacted
- Regenerating bushland
- Disturbed ground
- Roadsides
- Cliffs and slips
- Forestry areas
Yates Zero Super Concentrate Weedkiller
An extremely effective, easy and economical way to control weeds and grasses. Kills weeds, roots and all.
Yates Zero Pulse Penetrant
Improves the penetration, spread and adhesion of Yates Zero Weedkillers on difficult to kill weeds with waxy or hard to wet surfaces.
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