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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.

Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Peppermint Stick'
  • 'Variegata'
Tags:
#sun#showy flowers#water garden#rain garden#drought tolerant#fall flowers#container plant#weedy#cut flowers#fall interest#ornamental grass#gray-green#pond margins#ncemgva2018#rhizomes#coarse#tall grass#naturalizes#self-seeding#agressive
 
Arundo donax
Arundo donax Harry Rose CC BY 4.0
Arundo donax
Arundo donax Forest and Kim Starr CC BY 4.0
Arundo donax
Arundo donax ligule Harry Rose CC BY 4.0
Arundo donax
Arundo donax Harry Rose CC BY 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Peppermint Stick'
  • 'Variegata'
Tags:
#sun#showy flowers#water garden#rain garden#drought tolerant#fall flowers#container plant#weedy#cut flowers#fall interest#ornamental grass#gray-green#pond margins#ncemgva2018#rhizomes#coarse#tall grass#naturalizes#self-seeding#agressive
  • 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:
    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 Grass
    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, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    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
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Drought
    Pollution
    Problems:
    Weedy