Common name: Ribbon Grass, Reed Canary Grass
Family: Poaceae, Grass
Height x width: 1-3' x 2-4' or more
Growth rate: fast
Foliage: flat, 6-12" long and ¾" wide arching away from stems, striped lengthwise with alternating stripes
Flowers:early summer, whitish to pale pink loose panicle, not considered a main feature
Hardiness: zones 4-9
Soil: most, thrives in wet or boggy sites, tolerates dry
Light: sun, less aggressive in part shade
Pests and Problems: none
Landscape habit, uses: massing, groundcover especially for boggy areas, in gardens contain such as with paved walks and structures as it is quite invasive by roots
Other interest: native to north temperate regions; genus is from the Greek phalaros meaning shining, refering to the shiny seeds of the species; was the first variegated grass mentioned in ancient herbals and used in gardens
Other culture: low maintenance with proper siting
Propagation: division any time
Species:
arundinacea (a-run-di-naa' cee-ah)-- main species of commerce
and cultivars, with 'Picta' most common cultivar
Cultivars: (of arundinacea)
| Cultivar | height | foliage | other |
| 'Dwarf Garters' | 10-15" | white variegated | a dwarf 'Picta', less aggressive |
| 'Feesey':'Mervyn Feesey' | |||
| 'Feesey's Variety':'Mervyn Feesey' | |||
| 'Luteo-picta' | 1-2' | golden variegated | groundcover, color fades in heat |
| 'Mervyn Feesey' | 2-3' | pink spring, white summer | showy creamy flowers early |
| 'Picta' | 1-2' | white variegated | Gardener's Garters, vigorous |
| 'Tricolor' | 2-3' | pink, white, green | vigorous |
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