Phalaris arundinacea var. picta 'Picta' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

gardener's garters 'Picta'

Synonyms

Phalaris arundinacea 'Elegantissima'
Phalaris arundinacea 'Variegata'
Phalaris arundinacea 'Picta'

Grass Like

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Very vigorous perennial grass with a running rootstock, forming an extensive colony of upright stems, to 1.2m tall, bearing narrow, linear, bright white and green-striped leaves to 35cm long, somtimes suffused pink in cooler periods. Produces narrow panicles to 17cm long of pale green flower spikelets in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Tufted
Genus: Phalaris can be annual or rhizomatous perennials grasses with relatively broadly linear leaves and small green flower spikelets in open panicles
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any soil in full sun or partial shade. Can spread quickly, so suited to covering large areas, but has the potential to become a nuisance and may need to be controlled

Propagation

Propagate by division from mid-spring to midsummer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Ground cover

Pruning

Cut back dead foliage in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free