- Entire areas are overgrown
- Use the root barrier when planting
- What happens if you forget the root barrier?
- What emergency solutions are there?
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It already looks impressive with its white-green leaves. Both as a solitaire and in groups, for example in the background of flower beds, it makes a good impression. However, zebra grass spreads as intensively as other types of ornamental grass and does a rhizome barrier therefore make sense?
A root barrier is advisable for the zebra gas, because it grows very fast
Entire areas are overgrown
If the zebra grass is in a sunny location in a permeable, moderately nutrient-rich and evenly moist soil, it feels extremely comfortable. If there is no lack of care, it is willing to spread.
Then it puts out runners and its rhizomes grow. Over the years, it can take up entire areas. A single plant grows into a whole sea that can rise up to 250 cm high. Ideal as a privacy screen, but not every gardener is happy about it…
Use the root barrier when planting
In order to stop the strong urge to spread, a root barrier should be set when planting:
- 1 plant per square meter
- 1 m distance between several specimens
- before planting and after excavating the soil: place a root barrier
- about 50 - 70 cm deep into the ground
- well suited as a root barrier: large bucket without bottom, large stones, fleece, foils
What happens if you forget the root barrier?
Have you already planted the zebra grass but without a root barrier? Then don't be surprised if it becomes unruly over time. It can even displace or overgrow other, surrounding and weaker plants. Its newly formed roots are difficult to remove once established. They're stuck underground.
What emergency solutions are there?
The alternative to a root barrier is to dig up and divide your zebra grass every 2 to 3 years. You also have the option of using the root barrier later. This is best done in spring. The zebra grass can also be kept alternatively in the bucket.
tips
Not all varieties of zebra grass spread widely through foothills. If you don't want to create a root barrier, opt for such a low-shooting variety.