Giant reed
Arundo donax · Poaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant giant reed: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen to semi-evergreen depending on climate
- Flowering
- Autumn (September to November)
- Mature size
- 2 to 6 m in height depending on conditions
- Growth
- Very fast and vigorous
- Hardiness
- Down to approximately -15°C
- Origin
- Southwest Asia, naturalized in the Mediterranean
- Soil type
- Undemanding, prefers fresh to moist soils
Care
Watering
Provence Reed thrives in humid environments and prefers locations near watercourses, riverbanks or marshy areas. During active growth (spring-summer), water regularly to keep the soil moist. Once established, it tolerates drought better but flowers more profusely with good moisture levels.
Light exposure
Plant your reed in full sun for optimal growth and generous flowering. It accepts partial shade but will be less vigorous. A sunny exposure also enhances leaf color and improves disease resistance.
Pruning and cutting
Cut back dried culms at the end of winter (February-March) before growth resumes, either flush to the ground or at 30 cm depending on the desired effect. This pruning rejuvenates the clump and removes dead parts. You can remove individual culms as needed throughout the season if necessary.
Fertilizer
Undemanding, it only needs fertilizer on poor soils. An application of well-decomposed compost in spring is more than sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen which would promote unbalanced growth at the expense of flowering.
Soil and planting
Provence Reed adapts to most soils but clearly prefers fresh to moist terrain, even flooded in winter. Work the soil thoroughly at planting and enrich with compost if the ground is too poor. It tolerates slightly alkaline soils.
Diseases and pests
Relatively resistant to diseases if humidity conditions are appropriate. Prolonged waterlogging can cause root rot. In very dry climates, watch for spider mites. Good drainage and adequate air circulation are usually sufficient to prevent any issues.
Did you know?
Arundo donax is a grass so invasive that it is considered one of the most invasive species in the Mediterranean basin, particularly in California where it chokes riparian ecosystems. Paradoxically, since ancient times it has been used to manufacture reeds (reeds) for clarinet, saxophone and oboe, making it a prestigious cultivated plant in the global instrument-making industry.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Tufted hair grassDeschampsia cespitosa
- Wavy hair-grassAvenella flexuosa
- Purple moor-grassMolinia caerulea
- Reed canary-grassPhalaris arundinacea
- Common quaking grassBriza media
- Creeping soft-grassHolcus mollis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.