Arundo donax
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-ROON-doh DOH-naks
- Description
-
Slowly spreads by rhizomes; leaves bronze with freezing temperatures; tallest ornamental grass; resembles bamboo; curved leaves; Prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade; Grows in a variety of soils; drought tolerant. Small plants can be grown in containers otherwise it grows well at the margins of large water gardens, in rain gardens, or in the background of borders (because of its height). It can spread aggressively by rhizomes and self-seeding.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Banana Beds
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Peppermint Stick'
- 'Peppermint Twist'
Tall grass with wide variegated leaves - 'Peppermint Stick'
- 'Peppermint Stick', 'Peppermint Twist', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Peppermint Stick'
- 'Peppermint Twist'
Tall grass with wide variegated leaves - 'Peppermint Stick'
- 'Peppermint Stick', 'Peppermint Twist', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Arundo
- Species:
- donax
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used traditionally as a medicine. Reeds for musical instruments are made from this plant.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- W. & Central Asia to Temp. E. Asia, Mediterranean
- Dimensions:
- Height: 14 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9a, 9b, 10b, 10a
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1- to 2-ft. inflorescence opens with a reddish-brown cast; dries to full puffy, silver; in Fall. Excellent for cut flowers or in dried arrangements
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Upright stems with coarse, gray-green 2' long 3" wide leaves; leaves bronze with freezing temperatures
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Drought
- Pollution
- Problems:
- Weedy
