Arundo donax 'Peppermint Stick' is a bold ornamental grass prized for its striking variegated foliage marked with creamy white and green stripes. This giant reed creates dramatic vertical interest, growing quickly into tall upright clumps that sway in the wind. Its bamboo like stems and bold leaves lend a tropical look to large landscapes, rain gardens, or water edges, while remaining well behaved in northern zones where it rarely sets seed.
Height & Spread: 8 - 12 ft x 4 - 6 ft
Bloom Time: Late summer to early fall
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Preference: Moist, well drained soil; tolerates clay and sandy soils
Watering Needs: Moderate to high; thrives in wet areas
Deer Resistance: Rarely browsed by deer due to tough textured foliage
Native Status
Arundo donax is native to the Mediterranean and Asia. While not native to North America, the 'Peppermint Stick' cultivar is sterile and poses less risk of invasiveness than the species.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Birds
- The dense upright stems provide vertical cover and nesting habitat for red winged blackbirds and sparrows in wetland and pond edge settings.
Beneficial Insects
- The dense foliage creates overwintering sites for predatory ground beetles and beneficial spiders that help control garden pests.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space plants 4 - 6 ft apart to accommodate mature clumps and allow for air circulation in dense plantings.
Landscape Placement:
- Use as a focal point in large borders, rain gardens, or pond margins. Its towering presence pairs well with bold tropicals and flowering perennials needing vertical contrast.
Companion Plants
- Hibiscus moscheutos (Hardy Hibiscus) - Oversized blooms and bold foliage pair well with the giant stature of Arundo and share moisture loving tendencies.
- Rudbeckia laciniata 'Herbstsonne' - Tall golden daisies that bloom late and offer a vertical counterpoint to Arundo’s linear foliage.
- Ligularia dentata 'Othello' - Large rounded leaves and bold golden flowers offer grounding color and leaf shape contrast in moist settings.
- Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' - Upright blue green switchgrass offers textural contrast while echoing the vertical form of Arundo.
- Canna indica 'Tropicana' - Tropically styled foliage with orange blooms harmonizes with the bold aesthetic of Arundo.