A vigorous and robust perennial grass known for its striking foliage, Phalaris arundinacea var. picta features narrow leaves elegantly striped with white, pale, and dark green hues. While its pale green flower panicles are not the star of the show, the variegated blades provide visual appeal from spring through early summer. This grass spreads swiftly, forming expansive clumps, making it ideal for free-roaming sites or container cultivation, but bear in mind that it can be difficult to remove once it establishes and can be invasive. With that in mind, gardener’s garters serves as excellent ground cover, particularly along pond edges, where it aids in control.
How to care for Phalaris arundinacea var. picta:
Tolerant of a wide range of soil moistures, Phalaris thrives in boggy conditions. To maintain its variegation, prune back all but the new young shoots in early summer, encouraging vibrant new growth. In sunnier/drier periods, sun-scorching may occur in mid-summer, but a straightforward trimming, accompanied by deep watering, stimulates foliage rejuvenation within weeks.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
1m
Eventual spread:
1.5m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Reliably damp or boggy
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
- This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- CAUTION toxic if eaten/skin & eye irritant
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