This elusive industrial plant adds color and texture , but it can become invasive .
If you ’re wait for an easy - to - maintain plant , try variegate ribbon dope . It needs little care while tote up colour and texture wherever you embed it . Plus , it grows incredibly fast , making it a top choice for filling empty garden space . Variegated laurel wreath grass is hardy in USDA zone 4 - 9 and adapts to most turn conditions . However , it can become too strong-growing , so plant where you may keep it contained .
While this works ’s narrow , spear - shaped leaf stays on the unforesightful side , it has a spreading habit that can give it the appearing of bamboo . The leafage tot motion to a garden as it mildly sways in the cinch . Since this pot rarely blossom , it ’s most commonly grown for its foliage . If it does heyday , the bloom are insignificant , forming short and stringy panicles .
Credit: Perry L. Struse
Two cultivar of variegated ribbon grass are available to home gardeners : Phalaris arundinacea’Picta ' and ' Feesey ' , both with green and white vary leaves . Their upkeep is the same ; the difference between the two is that ' Feesey ' has more blanched in its leaves and is the least incursive of the ribbon grasses .
Where to Plant Variegated Ribbon Grass
Vareigated ribbon eatage is a lovely addition to the garden — as long as you keep it contained . It spread out underground by vigorous rootstalk , so it can be take exception to all weed them out where they are n’t need . The best emplacement for ribbon grass are in a container , around a garden pond , or in a woodland garden inzones 4–9 . Select an area in partial wraith with regular garden soil enriched with compost . The plant can tolerate full sunshine , but in hot area , the farewell may sear .
If you use variegated palm grass to stabilise riverbanks and other wetland areas , you could beintroducing an incursive speciesthat will quickly pass out aboriginal plants . Variegated ribbon sess is invading in many states , in particular in the Midwest and northwestern United States . The plant is more or less less aggressive when grown in dryer conditions , but it can still quickly take over a garden surface area if left uncurbed . Check with your local farming extension phone before adding it to your garden .
How and When to Plant Variegated Ribbon Grass
Nursery - grown plants are the way to go with ribbon gage . In the spring , dig a hole in even garden soil at the same depth as the glasshouse container and twice as wide . Use a shovel or trowel to loosen the soil in the hole . get rid of the industrial plant from its container and relax the base using your hands . Put the flora in the kettle of fish . foregather the folio summit in one helping hand so they are n’t buried as you backfill the hole . Press the soil with your hands and water the plant .
Variegated Ribbon Grass Care Tips
Variegated palm Gunter Wilhelm Grass grows in a wide range of conditions and is a miserable - maintenance plant .
Light
Variegated ribbon grass thrives inall - day light source shadeand grows well in full Dominicus in all but the hottest areas .
Soil and Water
Although variegated palm grass grows good in damp grime , it can grow in any condition from shallow standing water to dry out , sandy clay .
Temperature and Humidity
Variegated ribbon forage is not particular about humidness . The plant can tolerate some cold , but it lean to stop growing or go dormant in summer heat and then start growing again in drop .
Fertilizer
When variegate ribbon grass is planted in even garden territory , it needs no fertiliser . If the plant suffers leaf scorch in a full sun location , sheer back the damage leaves and give afertilizer with phosphorusto encourage new leaf growth .
Pruning
Cut back the plant in early summertime to about 6 inches to advance robust tumble outgrowth . Remove damaged leave at any time of year .
Potting and Repotting Variegated Ribbon Grass
variegate ribbon pot looks great in containers on the patio or in other outdoor session surface area , either alone or paired with a few bloom plant . apply containers with good drainage and meet with regular garden dirt that has been amended with compost . Repot in the same or a different container annually , refreshing the soil / compost intermixture .
Pests and Problems
Variegated typewriter ribbon skunk is practically pest - gratis and disease - free . If it is grown in full sunshine in hot climates , its leave-taking may scorch , but that ’s about it .
How to Propagate Variegated Ribbon Grass
In spring or tumble , lift a clump of variegated ribbon grass out of the undercoat using a shovel , being measured not to damage the works ’s rhizomes . shorten the clump in one-half using a trowel or spade and cautiously pull the two sections apart . Replant them immediately and water well .
Variegated Ribbon Grass Companion Plants
Black-Eyed Susan
Add a pool of sunlight to the garden with amassed planting of black - eyed Susan . From midsummer , these sturdy native flora flower their favorable heads off in both sun and light wraith , and they mix in well with other perennials , annual , and shrub . Tall salmagundi look especially appropriate among bush , which in turn allow for support . Add black - eyed Susans to wildflower hayfield or aboriginal plant garden for a rude look . fair stain is sufficient , but it should be capable to curb wet fairly well .
Perennial Sunflowers
Probably one of the most - loved flowers , sunflower are a long - time favorite for delimitation and bouquets , thanks to their huge bloom . While not quite as large as its annual first cousin , the perennial sunflowermakes up for what it lack in sizing with loads of blossoms in tardy summer and into fall .
Iris
Named forthe Grecian goddess of the rainbow , irises indeed do in a rainbow of colors and in many heights . All have the classic , intricate flowers , which are constructed with three upright ″standard″ petals and three sag ″fall″ petal , which are often different colors . The falls may be ″bearded " or not . A number of cultivars bloom a 2d time in late summertime . Some species prefer alkaline soil , while others prefer acidic filth .
Frequently Asked Questions
When its needs are met , variegate ribbon Mary Jane can live up to 20 age .
Variegated ribbon gage disperse by rootstock . The speed at which it spread depends on the growing condition , but it averages 4–12 in a year . The better the growing conditions , the faster the rootstock unfold .
Credit: Perry L. Struse
Credit: David Speer
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
