Arundo donax 'Peppermint Stick'
Also known as:
- Peppermint Stick Giant Reed Grass
Plant Type
grass / grass like
Zones
6a-9b
Size
H:144"
Growing Conditions
Sun Exposure:
sun
Features
Flowers:
copper / cinnamon / bronze
Foliage:
variegated
Wildlife:
deer resistant
Xera Plants
Sherwood, Oregon
W
Far Reaches Farm
Port Townsend, Washington
M R
Far Reaches Farm
Services
Mail Order Nursery Retail NurseryBrian's Botanicals
Louisville, Kentucky
M R
Brian's Botanicals
Location
6350 North Preston HwyLouisville, Kentucky
502-963-3694
briansbotanicals@gmail.com briansbotanicals.netServices
Mail Order Nursery Retail NurseryPlant Delights Nursery, Inc
Raleigh, North Carolina
M
Plant Delights Nursery, Inc
Services
Mail Order Nursery
This wonderful deer-resistant grass, native to Mediterranean freshwater wetlands, has long been a favorite of gardeners. The only drawback was the fading of the leaf variegation in warm weather. Arundo 'Peppermint Stick', imported from the Shanghai Botanic Garden by plantsman Greg Speichert, solves that, with striped leaves just as vivid in summer as in spring. Arundo 'Peppermint Stick' forms sturdy 12' tall canes, adorned with wide green-and-white striped leaves. In the fall, the clumps are topped with 18" tall bronze-colored plumes. Arundo may get too large for small gardens, but it is NOT an invasive plant (displacing natives in functioning ecosystems) as I read in some eco-Nazi literature.
Arundo donax Peppermint Stick is a large growing reed that can get up to 10 feet tall. It is very hardy even here in zone 6. Plants keep the variegation all summer with out fading as the regular variegated form will fade to green by the end of summer.
A dramatic cane-like grass with horizontal leaves lining the stems. This form has leaves that are dramatically edged in white. Fast growing to 12' tall in a single season. Best in full sun in moist rich soil. Eventually spreads to form a clump to 6' wide. A very large perennial that is completely deciduous below 20?F. Cut back in early spring. Provide plenty of room. A tall bamboo-like grass that holds up well to strong winds. May also be grown in shallow water. Arundo is an invasive weed throughout California but shows none of the propensity in our region.
Awesome selection with bold white and cream variegation that does not fade as the season progresses. Awesome is a mandatory descriptor for any perennial that is 12 feet tall. !8" tawny plumes in late summer are nice but hardyly needed. Likes it moist to wet and not found to be invasive.
Photo by: Far Reaches Farm
Contact
Port Townsend, Washington
360-385-5114
www.farreachesfarm.com