Occurs on a variety of moisture conditions from wet to dry soils, does best on fertile and moist to wet soils. Also capable of surviving prolonged conditions of flooding and anoxic conditions. Reproduction Perennial, cool season, reproduces by seeds and stout creeping rhizomes. Large rhizomes are capable of forming bunches or continuous sods. Ditches and waterways can serve as dispersal corridors.
Seeds germinate immediately after ripening.
Competition A very aggressive species that is highly competitive with other plants. Begins growth in early spring, grows vertically for 5-7 weeks, and then begins to spread laterally. May inhibit growth of other species for 3-5 months, eventually eliminating these species. Control New canary grass plants reestablish quickly from seeds when chemical and mechanical control methods are used. Some studies indicate that hand chopping the culms at flowering time may kill small clones.