- Ribbon/canary grass is a perennial grass growing up to 6 1/2 feet tall. It can be found growing in large drifts in wet areas and full sun. The leaves are lance-shaped and grow at an angle from their stems, then drop down to face the earth. The variants that are normally found in gardens are striped with pink and white. The plant spreads by rhizomes underground as well as by the seed contained in the green, wheat, brown and plum-colored plumes topping each plant.
- Leaf blades of canary grass are up to 4 feet long and three-quarters of an inch wide. The seed heads are green, wheat, brown, and slightly plum-colored on some plants they range from 3 to 6 inches long and are found atop the plant. The roots are rhizomes that spread underground creating plants that can grow into a sea of grass, completely removing all other plant species.
- Canary grass can be hand-dug and burned or composted. Remove every part of the root, because any fragments left behind will generate new plants. Consistent mowing of canary grass can help to control seed set and allow for better herbicide application. Mowing to prevent seed set is especially important, as it will prevent thousands of new plants from forming.
The use of black plastic is successful is killing canary grass. Leave the shade cover on for at least a year in order to allow the sun to bake the grass roots. - This grass is used in landscaping as well as for feeding livestock. It is hardy so this makes a positive for grazing land that does not have to be reseeded by hand. Goats, cattle, horses and sheep will eat canary grass.
- Canary/reed grass is a native of Europe, Asia and possibly Northwest America, where it can be found growing in damp places in full sun. Canaries, aquatic seed-eating birds, and even fish eat canary grass in the wild.
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