Arundo donax var.versicolor
(Variegated Giant Reed)
Family - Poaceae
Category - Grass
Origin - Mediterranean
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H2
Height - 1.8m
Width - 60cm
Location - The Exotic Garden
Description: A rhizomatous Perennial grass with a clump-forming habit and tall, vertical stems. Broadly linear to strap-shaped leaves are dark grey-green and variegated with white striation running the length of the leaves. Each leaf has bold white bands along the margins and finer white lines towards the centre. Spikelet flowers open purplish-red and fade to silvery-green with age. The flowers are held in feathery panicles and may be produced in late autumn. Flowers are not reliably produced in this climate.
Arundo donax var. versicolor is not as hardy as the non-variegated species (A. donax) and should be kept in a frost-free location through the winter.
Flower:
Spikelet flowers open purplish-red and fade to silvery-green with age. The flowers are held in feathery, branched panicles and may be produced in November, but are not reliably produced in this climate.
Flower colour: Purplish-red, silvery-green
Flower shape: Spikelets in panicles
Flowering time: November
Foliage:
Broadly linear to strap-shaped leaves are dark grey-green with striking white stripes running the length of the leaf and bold white bands along the margins. The leaves clasp the stems and are Alternately arranged on the thick, vertical stems.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Broadly linear to strap-shaped
Propagation:
Division, seed.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun in moisture-retentive soil.