The only native bamboo in Tennessee, River Cane is somewhat woody, forming extensive stands by spreading rhizomes. It is good cover and food for wildlife. Tips on Planting Native Grasses Do not dig plants from the wild. Collect and plant grass seeds that are native to Tennessee. Be careful not to collect more that 10 percent of the seeds in an area.
Most seeds are ready about one month after the plant has finished blooming.
Dry the seeds in a paper bag and plant them in the fall deep in the soil. The prairie mixes sold by many nurseries contain alien invasive grasses and other wildflowers and should not be planted in Tennessee. The worst invaders of natural areas include Bachelor's Buttons, Dames Rocket, Yarrow, Ox-eye Daisy, Shasta Daisy, Crown Vetch, Cosmos, White and Yellow Sweet Clover, Crimson, Red, and White Clovers, California Poppies, annual Phlox, and many more. Please contact a local native plant nursery for a selection of native prairie seed sources. As the prairie plants mature, the undesirable weeds will lessen and beauty will abound.