Reed Canary Grass

Phalaris arundinacea

A large grass that reaches 3 to 6 feet in height. It has an erect, hairless stem with gradually tapering leaf blades 3 1/2 to 10 inches long and 1/4 to 3/4 inch in width. Blades are flat and have a rough texture on both surfaces. It will grow in wet places and is used as a border plant. Excellent for arrangements to beautify your landscape.

Single flowers occur in dense clusters in May to mid-June. They are green to purple at first and change to beige over time.

This species occurs in wetlands, including marshes, wet prairies, wet meadows, fens, stream banks, and swales. It has been planted widely for forage and for erosion control.  It is locally common in Illinois wetlands, particularly in the northern part of the state where it frequently occurs in wet meadows and marshes.

This is a very hardy, tough grass surviving everywhere except the polar regions.  Will grow in zones 2-10.  Also hard to kill this one if your thumb is not the "greenest".  It can tolerate floods and extreme drought. A plant dug out of the ground, and left without any water for 6 days suffers only minor wilting. Severe wilting occurs after drought over 9 days in duration. Placing the whole plant underwater doesn't kill the plant.  Very durable.  However, this durability does have a downside:  This can become invasive if not controlled in the landscape.  Has excellent erosion control properties due to the dense root system.  Available as seed:

Reed Canary Grass Seed:  200++ per pkt.