Arundo donax
Giant reed, Carrizo, Cana bravo
- Height × spread
- 4.5m × 2m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a wonderful plant for a warm place. It looks stately with a vertical stem that can tower 4m (13ft) or more by the end of summer and grey green leaves that arch outwards. It seldom flowers in these latitudes, but when they occur, the flowers form short silvery rather oblong plumes. The plant suffers and may look tattered and brown leafed in the cold. But, cut back to ground level, it will quickly regrow to its former height. and retain its good looks all year. It does well in most soils and can stand dry or moist conditions. It is best in sunshine but can tolerate part shade. In the Mediterranean where it will soar to 5.5m (16ft), it is used to make baskets and fishing rods among other things.
- Flower colour
- Grey
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 4.5m
- Spread
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Water garden, Prairie garden, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Water depth
- Up to 7.5cm
- Use for
- Architectural, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
After three or four weeks without rain, except for drought tolerant plants, those in the ground often get stressed. Adopt the habit of deep-watering one section of the garden each day. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Encourage plants to develop good root systems by giving occasional deep watering. Some plants, such as conifers and heathers, do not show much sign of distress so water these if in doubt.
Spring - early · Planting
Prune to the ground
Cut foliage to the ground before new growth starts.
Where stems are grown for their ornamental value, old stems should be removed either before new growth starts in spring, or during winter when they begin to look ragged or untidy.
Summer
Summer · Planting
Remove offsets to create new plants
Offsets are small plants or shoots that develop around the parent plant. They should have developed a root system of their own before they are detached. They can be planted directly, or grown in pots if so small they could be 'lost' in the garden.
Offsets may be used to replace an aged parent plant, to extend or establish a colony, or can be given away or sold.