How does beach grass just grow back in the Spring?

Question

I have beach grass in my yard that I am researching, but I can't find any sources. It dies over the winter, but now little green blades are shooting up through it like there's nothing dead there. Can anyone give me any sites or straight info on beach grass?

Answer 1

Hi MegaMe623,

There are a couple of species of what is commonly referred to as Beach Grass.  One is native of the Atlantic coast and the other is a native of Europe.

Both are perennials with rhizomes.

Your beach grass is not actually dying and coming back.  It is simply going into a dormant phase and then regenerating its foliage.

When you believe that the grass has "died", try putting your fingers down into the soil and feel for the network of roots that are still there.  These would have to be entirely removed or sprayed with an appropriate herbicide in order to actually  

kill the plant.

This is one reason that this plant (European Beach Grass) is such a pest along the Pacific shores, because it is difficult to remove and crowds out the native grasses and vegetation of coastal dunes.

I hope this helps.

~Flower Power