American Beach Grass - Ammophila breviligulata

**This item is seasonal. Beach grass is harvested downstate and sold in the spring and fall while dormant. We order bare-root bundles of 25 stems. Unsold stems are potted into plug flats and gallons for later sales. If we are out of stock, pre-order to be included in our next order.
 
Ammophila breviligulata, also known as American Beach Grass or Dune Grass, is a perennial grass native to Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. This is the primary plant for controlling erosion and creating habitat on dunes in the Great Lakes area. It grows to 3 feet tall, and thrives in dune sand, intense sun, wind, and hot, dry conditions. It spreads by rhizome. Rhizomes knit the dunes together and provide erosion control while the leaves break the wind and trap sand, helping the dunes to re-form.
 
Available in several options:
* A bundle contains 25 bare-root plants and is sold and planted dormant in spring and fall. 
* A plug flat contains 38 plants in a soil "plug". It can be planted any time, but watering may be needed if planted in peak summer.
* A quart is a 4" pot with one plant and can be planted any time.
* Gallons contain three to five larger stems and make a nice accent at a beachfront home or can create an instant start to a new grass colony in a problem area.
 
Recommended spacing is 18”. Plant more densely if quick cover is needed; 12" or less in areas where erosion is on-going. Stagger your rows to break up the wind.
 
To plant bare root plants, use a narrow blade shovel or other tool to open a wedge-shaped hole. Place a stem deep enough that it half-buried, roughly 8" deep. Close the hole and press with your foot to firm the sand. Having two people plant is helpful, as one can wedge the sand open with the shovel and hold it while the other slips the plant in place. Plant plugs in a similar fashion, but make sure to burry the plug several inches deeper than you would with other plants so the roots have access to better moisture. You should not be able to see the potting soil after the plug is planted.
 
Pairs well with colorful Beach Pea, Red Osier Dogwood, Pussy Willow, Meadowsweet, Harebell, Sea Rocket, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Starry Solomon Seal, Evening Primrose, Common Milkweed, Boneset, Grassleaf Goldenrod, and Sticky Goldenrod. These are best planted on shallow sand where the water table is within reach, or in the inter-dune areas or sheltered slopes.
 
Note: we source this plant from a downstate nursery who reports that, although they do not use neonicotinoids, they may treat their stock with pesticides.