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 Botanical Garden by the late 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 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), since it neither runs or produces viable seed. Interesting factoid:Arundo donax is the source of reeds for wind instruments. Arundo donax is also a great cut for flower arrangements, both the foliage in new growth, or all summer long, as well as the glorious large flower heads in fall. The foliage lasts for several weeks in a flower arrangement. In mild winters, or a zone 8 winter, the stems do not die to the ground and put out side shoots from most nodes. These small side shoots can be rooted. Maintenance consists of cutting the stems to the ground before new growth starts in the spring. This need not wait until then if one wants to cut the stems down earlier. Though a matter of opinion, the stems that survive winter and produce multiple side shoots are a bit shabby looking. Arundo donax 'Peppermint' thrives in full sun in average to wet soils. It will perform quite well in part shade, though is more likely to lean when grown in too much shade. Watch our Plant Spotlight video for more information.
