Arundo donax var. versicolor (v)

RHS Plant Profile

variegated giant reed

RHS

Other common names

giant reed 'Variegata'

Synonyms

Arundo donax 'Variegatus'
Arundo donax 'Variegata'

Grass Like

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A robust evergreen grass with strong stems to 2m tall, bearing strap-shaped leaves to 30cm long, striped with white and green. Feathery panicles of small, purplish flowers may appear in late autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: 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): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Arundo are a genus of tall, robust, evergreen grass-like perennials, some reed-like in appearance, which are native to southern Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Mediterranean

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a sunny position in fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Can form large clumps

Propagation

Lift and divide established clumps in spring

Pruning

Cut back canes to ground level in late winter or early, before new shoots appear

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free