Ornamental grasses have become popular additions to the home landscape. Creamy-white and green variegation. Trim out infested leaf blades to prevent the fungus from spreading. With basic care the mounds of long-lived grass will supply beauty and texture in the garden bed for many years. It supplies a low-maintenance greenery in woodland gardens or in shaded areas under trees. Ensure that each piece has several healthy rhizomes and then replant the clumps in designated areas or share them with a friend. Ribbon grass is tolerant of a wide range of soils from dry, to moist, to wet and of sites from sun to shade. Panicles of pale green flowers bloom well above the foliage in early summer but present little interest. Growing ornamental ribbon grass in containers will help prevent them from spreading. The striking foliage will lighten your garden! The plant is drought tolerant so watering sufficiently every week or two should be adequate. We've plopped them in our Pablo Vase which has been inspired by ancient traditions. Add more mulch each spring to maintain the 2-inch depth. Ribbon grass doesn't require fertilization when grown in rich soil. Also known as Gardener’s Garters. The narrow variegated leaves have a tall brown seed head atop green stems. Plants that are in full sun may experience sun scorch. Ribbon grass is attractive, but invasive, with fast-growing tendencies that make it a good choice for containers. Full sun to light shade. Apply compost or manure around the base of the plant in early spring to help feed the plant. Spread is moderate, with rhizomes expanding 4 to 12 inches a year, depending on growing conditions. Plant ribbon grass in clumps, along borders where it is given permission to roam freely, or as container specimens. Leaves are striped lengthwise with dark green and white, blushed with pink in spring and fall. Variegated Ribbon Grass Care Must-Knows Variegated ribbon grass thrives in almost all growing conditions. Ornamental Grass Care – Cutting Back In The Winter One of the many advantages of ornamental grasses are they extremely hardy and tolerant. Ribbon grass plants are easy to manage varieties that provide color transition and graceful foliage. In spring, cut the ribbon grass down as low as possible. They can be sown about 30 to 60 cm apart, either before the first frost of winter or at the start of spring. It is often used on hillsides or to control soil erosion. The clean variegation is eye-catching as a border or mass planting. Deep green leaves with longitudinal white stripes turn buff colored in autumn; airy white flower clusters age to pale brown. Occasionally the plant will form a small flower in June or July which becomes a grain-like fruit. The plants grow well from division every few years. A popular favorite since the Victorian era, Phalaris arundinacea var. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. The plants are ideal around a pond or water feature, planted in clumps, as container specimens, or along borders. They are also called reed canary grass. Life span of any plant is of three types: Annuals, Biennials and Perennials. The grass spreads into a thick mat and grows from rhizomes, which can get out of hand and take over unplanned areas. Common name: sedge These grass-like plants are grown mainly for their typically evergreen leaves, which combine well with other ornamental grasses and are used in prairie-style plantings of robust summer-flowering perennials. Reed canary grass is a cool-season, running grass that grows about 4-5 feet tall. Ribbon grass is a relatively easy plant to kill in the home landscape. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Ribbon grass can become invasive in some areas of the country. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! 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