Plant Min Zone: 5b
Plant Max Zone: 11b
Sunlight: All Day Full Sun, Full Sun, Part Sun
Water / Rainfall: Low, Average, High, Very High
Soil Quality: Poor, Average, Rich
Bloom Season: Late Summer, Fall
Flower Color: Brown-Beige
Berry / Fruit Color: Brown-Beige, Silver-Grey
Spring Foliage Color: Green
Summer Foliage Color: Green
Fall Foliage Color: Green
Evergreen Foliage: No
Winter Interest: No
Scented Flowers: No
Drought Tolerance: Medium, High
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Medium, High
Humidity Tolerance: High
Wind Tolerance: Medium, High
Poor Soil Tolerance: Clay Soils, Rocky Soils, Sandy Soils, Acidic Soil (low PH), Alkaline Soils (high PH)
Height: 12' - 20'
Width: 5' - 10'
Growth Rate: Medium, Fast
Service Life: Very Long: 10-20 years
Maintenance Need: High
Spreading Potential: High
Yearly Trimming Tips: Trim Ornamental Grass to Ground After Hard Fall Freeze: No Winter Interest.
Plant Grouping Size: Specimen Planting of 1-3, Small Grouping of 3-5, Medium Grouping of 5-10, Mass Planting of 10 or more
Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure, East Exposure, North Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Tolerates Periods of Standing Water, Survives Severe Drought, Tolerates Extreme Heat, Resistant to Rabbits, Base of Retaining Wall Locations
Ornamental Features: Multiple Seasons of Interest, Large Tropical Foliage / Flowers, Exceptional / Colorful Foliage
Special Landscape Uses: Erosion Control, Noise / Wind Screening
Possible Pest Problems: None
Plant Limitations: Aggressive Rhizomes / Runners, May get Occasional Winter-kill, Messy; Fruits / Twigs / Leaf Litter, May Be Too Invasive for Garden Use, Unpleasant Smelling Flowers / Foliage
Giant Reed Grass (Arundo donax) is a giant perennial grass that can reach up to 20 ft. in height in Kansas in average to wet soils. Although it can be much shorter in full to part shade or very dry soils. The overall look is tropical like resembling giant corn. Flowering occurs in late summer to early fall, when plants are most easily recognized because of the large, dense flower plumes (upto 3' long) that develop at the tops of the culms. Arundo donax is native to India and spreads through rhizomes and stem nodes that come in contact with the soil. If low temperatures hit -10 degrees F, it may kill an un-mulched plant; protect any zone 6 perennial with thick layer of mulch. It has potential to be invasive in parts of the country but not so much in Kansas as cold winters prevent this plant from self-seeding and taking over ecosystems. Maintenance can be quite a yearly chore cutting back 20' tall cans each year; we recommend a chainsaw, heavy-duty loppers, and a large burn pit. Canes pop (but don't spark) when burning in bonfires! Make your very own firework sound effects; lots of fun with our kids! Cut-back is best in the fall because canes shed leaves stalks making a mess when winter winds blow. For the home garden, the species is generally too aggressive to mix with other plants or near the house: plan on its use as a screening plant and allow at least a 10'x10' area. One of the best plants for screening busy highways in rough non-irrigated areas.