Reed Canary Grass Phalaris arundinacea
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- FAL-ah-ris a-run-din-ay-SEE-uh
- Description
-
Reed canarygrass is an invasive cool-season grass in the Poaceae (grass) family. There are native canarygrasses but this invasive one is native to Eurasia. Clumps form extensive single-species stands along the margins of lakes and streams and in wet open areas. They can reach heights of 6-9 feet and quickly crowd out native plants. They spread by rhizomes and seeds and are very difficult to eradicate once established.
The plant will grow in almost any soil type and pH range in full sun to part shade. The rough, flat leaves grow 1-4 feet long and panicles of flowers are produced in early summer followed by seedheads. In winter the clump collapses making walking through it difficult and doesn't provide cover for wildlife. Although it is often a wetland invader, it is able to tolerate drier environments due to the deep root system.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It can spread aggressively. See native alternatives in the left-hand column. Listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council and by many other states.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Feesey'
- 'Strawberries & Cream'
Horizontally spreading - 'Feesey'
- 'Feesey', 'Picta', 'Strawberries & Cream'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Feesey'
- 'Strawberries & Cream'
Horizontally spreading - 'Feesey'
- 'Feesey', 'Picta', 'Strawberries & Cream'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Phalaris
- Species:
- arundinaera
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eurasia
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Open
- 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)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
- Fruit Description:
- The inflorescence color changes from green to purplish to tan as the seeds mature. There are both sterile and fertile lemmas
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Tight panicles of tiny flowers are greenish-white to pinkish fowers and appear in early summer
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Rough flat green leaves that gradually taper to the tip are 1-4 feet long and 3/4- 1 inch wide.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Smooth green stems are sometimes hollow
-
-
Landscape:
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Pollution
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Weedy
