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Giant Reed Grass Arundo donax

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ah-ROON-doh DOH-naks
Description

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:
'Peppermint Stick', 'Peppermint Twist', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#fall flowers#ornamental grass#high maintenance#ncemgva2018#fast growing#aggressive#rhizomes#coarse#tall grass#naturalizes#gray-green leaves#weed#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Peppermint Stick', 'Peppermint Twist', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#fall flowers#ornamental grass#high maintenance#ncemgva2018#fast growing#aggressive#rhizomes#coarse#tall grass#naturalizes#gray-green leaves#weed#hs303
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    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
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • 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 that clasp the stems; leaves bronze with freezing temperatures
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Drought
    Pollution
    Problems:
    Weedy