Phalaris arundinacea var. picta
gardener's garters
P. arundinacea var. picta is a vigorous perennial grass forming an extensive colony of erect stems to 60cm tall, bearing narrow leaves boldly striped with white, pale and dark green, and narrow pale green flowering panicles in summer
Other common names
bride's laceslady grass
see morelady's garters
lady's ribbons
painted grass
ribbon grass
silver grass
French grass
lady's laces
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Variegated White | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Green Variegated White | ||
| Autumn | Green Variegated White | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- 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
Correct
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
To keep the variegation, cut down all but the new young shoots in early summer to encourage fresh growth
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.