Reed canary grass

Reed canary grass: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Dense, upright stems of 1–1.2 m, in patches that keep spreading by rhizomes.

Foliage

Long, ribbon-like and 1–2 cm wide; green striped white in ‘Picta’, plain green in the species.

Flower

Narrow, compact panicles in June–July, greenish white to purplish, later straw-coloured.

Roots

Strong, shallow rhizomes that quickly form new shoots, often far from the parent plant.

Effect

‘Picta’ gives soft, pale drifts that lift shady areas.

Flowering: June–July · Plants: March–May and September–October · Pruning: March and July

Why grow it?

• A native grass that suits wet spots, stream banks and pond edges.
• The variegated foliage of ‘Picta’ brightens a half-shaded corner, even in summer.
• Grows on wet, heavy soil where many other ornamental grasses fail.
• Covers the ground quickly: useful for greening a bank or a difficult spot fast.
• Low maintenance: once established, it needs nothing but cutting back and keeping in check.

Reed canary grass: where does it grow best?

• Sun to half shade: in full sun on dry soil the leaf tips scorch sooner, in deep shade the foliage turns greener.
• Loam, clay or peat, acid to chalky. It also grows on very wet soil and tolerates temporary flooding.
• Moist to wet: ideal at a pond edge or in a damp border; it can grow on drier soil, but is less lush there.
• Do not put it next to valuable plants or a natural watercourse: it spreads.
• Allow 60–80 cm per plant if you plant a defined area.

Light

Sun and partial shade

Soil type

Loam, clay or peat

Acidity

Not fussy

Moisture

Normal or wet

Size

1.2 m tall, 1 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -30 °C)

Goes well with

• Meadowsweet: Pink plumes in summer on the same damp soil.
• Yellow flag iris: Yellow flowers in May–June on wet soil, at a pond edge.
• Purple loosestrife: Tall purple flower spikes in summer; it also tolerates wet feet.
• Water dock: Large, glossy leaves in damp places.
• Ferns: A calm green backdrop in a damp, shady corner.

Reed canary grass: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–May and September–October.

1. Plant in March–May or in September–October, when the soil is not frozen.
2. Choose the spot first: reed canary grass does not stay where you put it. Plant it in a bottomless bucket or container at least 30–40 cm deep, or surround the spot with a root barrier at least 40 cm deep.
3. Let the rim of the container or barrier stick out 2–3 cm above the ground, so the rhizomes cannot creep over it.
4. Set the plant at the same depth as in its pot and firm the soil well.
5. Water in thoroughly straight away and keep the soil moist in the first year.
6. Spread a layer of mulch around the plant to keep the soil damp.

Care

Water

Always keep the soil moist. On a dry spot the leaf tips turn brown: then water generously.

Feeding

Usually not needed. On poor soil, a little compost in spring.

Cutting back

Cut it back in March and, if needed, once more in July after flowering: this gives fresh, attractive foliage.

Control

Every spring, cut off runners outside the container or barrier with a sharp spade.

Green shoots

On ‘Picta’, remove plain green shoots at the base: they grow more strongly than the variegated ones.

Dividing

Divide the clump every 2–3 years: this keeps it fresh and limits its spread.

Tip: Always plant reed canary grass in a bottomless container or behind a root barrier 40 cm deep, and cut off the runners every spring: that is how you keep it under control.

Reed canary grass: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March and July.

When: In March before growth starts, and if you like in July after flowering.

How:

• In March, cut all old stems and leaves back to about 10 cm above the ground.
• In July, after flowering, you can cut back again to 15–20 cm: fresh foliage grows quickly.
• On ‘Picta’, remove plain green shoots completely at the base.
• The cuttings can go on the compost heap, but without pieces of rhizome.

Caution: Never dump prunings or dug-out runners in the countryside, along a stream or in a ditch: every piece of rhizome can grow again.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Division

In spring or in September: split a clump with a sharp spade into pieces, each with roots and shoots, and replant straight away. It almost always takes.

Rhizome pieces

In spring, lay 10–15 cm pieces of rhizome with buds horizontally about 5 cm deep in moist soil.

Reed canary grass: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −30 °C.

• Fully hardy, to about −30 °C: no protection is needed in Belgium.
• The stems die back in winter; leave them until you cut back in March.
• In a container: stand it somewhere damp or sink it in a pond; it must not dry out completely.

Diseases and pests

• Invasive spread: The rhizomes run far and push through other plants. Plant in a container or behind a barrier and cut off runners every spring.
• Reversion to green: On ‘Picta’, plain green shoots that grow more strongly sometimes appear. Dig them out at the base.
• Scruffy, brown foliage: After flowering and in dry weather the leaves turn brown and flop. Cut back in July and water.
• Aphids: Sometimes on young shoots in May. Rinse them off with water; ladybirds do the rest.

Through the year

• March: Cut back to 10 cm. Divide or plant.
• April: Plant, with a root barrier or in a container.
• May: Plant. Cut off runners outside the barrier.
• June: Flowering with compact panicles. Water well.
• July: After flowering, cut back to 15–20 cm for fresh foliage.
• August: New foliage. Cut off runners again.
• September: Plant or divide.
• October: Plant. Water in dry spells.
• November: Resting. Leave the stems standing.
• December: Resting.

Did you know?

• The species name arundinacea means ‘reed-like’.
• The variegated form is known in English as ‘gardener’s garters’ and in Dutch as ‘lintgras’.
• In Belgium reed canary grass grows naturally along streams, ditches and riverbanks.