Scientific name: Phalaris arundinacea
Family: POACEAE
Common names: “Reed canary grass”
Plant Type: Rhizomatous deciduous perennial grass
Conditions:
Zone: 3-9
Light: Full sun – part shade
Soil: Any
Moisture: wet – dry, full range
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: H 3-9′ W endless ∞
Removal: Almost impossible to get rid of, will come back from seed banks in disturbed soils, any piece of root not removed, continuous sheet mulching might keep it down if maintained well
Pests & Disease: Nothing
Comments: Grows worldwide and considered the worst wetland invasive species, forms dense nearly pure stands displacing all native species
Propagate: By seed and rhizome
Cultivars: Don’t trust any of them!
P. a. ‘Strawberries & Cream’ – highly attractive striped leaves
P. a. var. picta – vigorous leaves boldly striped with white, pale and dark green
Vancouver Island Grows 