Ribbon Grass, Reed Canary Grass, Gardener's Garters 'Feesey'

My experience with 'Picta' is that it spreads too quickly and aggressively by underground rhizomes for it to be used near other garden pe...Read Morerennials. There are many other more useful ornamental grasses that look very similar without being weedy or thuggish.

This species is naturalized through most of the US, and often forms large monoculture stands in wetland habitat. Cultivating it is prohibited in Massachusetts, where it's considered an invasive threat to natural habitat. It's been declared a noxious weed in Washington, and invasive in Connecticut.
 

The Minnesota DNR has Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) listed on it's invasive species list.
"Ecological Threat:
...Read Morer /> * Reed canary is a major threat to natural wetlands. It out competes most native species.
* It presents a major challenge in wetland mitigation efforts.
* It forms large, single-species stands, with which other species cannot compete.
* If cut during the growing season a second growth spurt occurs in the fall.
* Invasion is associated with disturbances, such as ditch building, stream channeling sedimentation and intentional planting.
* This Eurasian species has been planted throughout the U.S. since the 1800s for forage and erosion control. It is still being planted."

'Feesey' has a pink tinge to the foliage while it is young. After the season progresses a bit the pink fades away. It's height and spre...Read Moread are about 2-3'. Tan colored plumes or spikes arise in mid-summer.

May be used as a container plant or near a water feature. Prefers partial sun.

Can be invasive.

Feesey is a varigated green and cream color that has a nice pink tinge along the blades that fades over time. I tried to overwinter th...Read Moree Feesey here in zone 5 with the result that I found it had died the following spring - possibly was submerged too far in the pond during the winter. I have since found that ribbon grass prefers moist soil only in winter.