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How to Grow Ribbon Grass
How to Grow Ribbon Grass. Ribbon grass (Phalaris arundinacea) is a reliable groundcover that always seems to thrive. It's hardy and easy to grow, but it can also be invasive. Ribbon grass can provide an attractive solution for sites where not much else will grow. Tie up a beautiful garden with this old-fashioned garden favorite.
Ribbon grass (Phalaris arundinacea) is a reliable groundcover that always seems to thrive. It's hardy and easy to grow, but it can also be invasive. Ribbon grass can provide an attractive solution for sites where not much else will grow. Tie up a beautiful garden with this old-fashioned garden favorite.
Things You'll Need
Ribbon grass
Shovel
Water
Mulch or other organic material
Hedge clippers
Select a planting location carefully. Ribbon grass will tolerate a wide spectrum of habitats, including wet or dry soil, in sun or shade. When planted in shadier spots, ribbon grass tends to be less invasive.
Prepare the planting site. Ribbon grass will do well as long as it has good drainage. Deep till the planting area in fall to increase its workability in spring. Spring planting is also acceptable. Digging up the entire planting area instead of individual holes allows for easier planting.
Select the grass. Two ribbon grass cultivars are preferred because they are less invasive. Check with your local garden center or nursery for containerized transplants of Feesey's Form and Picata.
Plant the ribbon grass. Space the plants about 4 plants per square yard if you're growing ribbon grass as a groundcover. It will quickly spread over the area.
Mulch the planting area. To help retain moisture, mulch around the transplants and over the planting area. As the ribbon grass spreads, less mulch will be required. Eventually the grass will form an attractive, weed-free matte.
Tips & Warnings
Ribbon grass grows well in Hardiness Zones 4 through 8. Ribbon grass reaches 3 to 4 feet in height and is sometimes called reed canary grass or gardener's garters.
Ribbon grass has attractive green and white striped leaf blades that are 6 to 12 inches long. A springtime pink tinge becomes whiter in the summer.
Ribbon grass spreads by rhizomes. Unchecked, it can spread into other areas of the garden where it is not wanted. To contain the grass, erect soil barriers when the grass is first planted.
Ribbon grass is attractive in the summer but turns brown as the summer ends. Use hedge clippers to cut the ribbon grass back to approximately 6-inches tall. It will grow new, fresh variegated blades. Unfortunately, ribbon grass is one ornamental grass that does not add interest to the winter garden.
