Giant Reed Arundo donax
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-ROON-doh DOH-naks
- Description
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Giant reed grass is one of the tallest ornamental grasses in the Poaceae family native to the Mediterranean and eastern Asia. It was introduced to the US in the 1800s for erosion control because it spreads by rhizomes holding the soil.
It grows up to 30 to 40 feet tall rapidly and can quickly crowd out native plants. Every node of the plant can root and create a new plant, making it disperse easily. There is little or no reproduction by seeds.
Its curved leaves are reminiscent of bamboo and they bronze with freezing temperatures. While it prefers full sun this tough grass will tolerate light shade and will grow in a wide variety of soils. It is quite drought-tolerant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant is invasive in some parts of the U.S. It can spread aggressively by rhizomes. It is listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council. Native alternatives should be considered.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- '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:
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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
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- W. & Central Asia to Temp. E. Asia, Mediterranean
- Dimensions:
- Height: 14 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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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
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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 that clasp the stems; leaves bronze with freezing temperatures
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
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Landscape:
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Drought
- Pollution
- Problems:
- Weedy
