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Glyceria maxima var. variegata (Variegated reed sweet-grass)
3 hours care
per year
per year
0.8m
Max height
Max height
2.5m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Glyceria maxima var. variegata
Other names
Variegated reed sweet-grass, Glyceria aquatica variegata, Glyceria spectabilis 'Variegata'
Genus
Glyceria Glyceria
Species
G. maxima var. variegata - G. maxima var. variegata is a vigorous, aquatic, rhizomatous perennial grass with keeled, narrowly strap-shaped, cream, green, and white-striped leaves, often flushed pink when young, and panicles of green to purple-green spikelets in mid- to late summer.
Glyceria maxima var. variegata is: Deciduous
Habit
Spreading
Flower
Flushed purple, Green in Summer
Foliage
Cream, White, Variegated, Green, Flushed pink in Spring; Cream, White, Variegated, Green in Summer; Green, Cream, White, Variegated in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Divide every few years in spring to avoid congested plants. Cut back in late autumn after the leaves die down.
Propagation methods
Division
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Where to grow
Glyceria maxima var. variegata (Variegated reed sweet-grass) will reach a height of 0.8m and a spread of 2.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Aquatic, Bog garden, Low Maintenance, Waterside, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in reliably moist, fertile soil or in water up to 15cm deep in full sun. Grow in baskets of loam to restrict spread. Site carefull as may become invasive. Not suitable for small ponds.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Boggy damp conditions, Moisture-retentive, Pond/In water
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Glyceria maxima var. variegata
Other names
Variegated reed sweet-grass, Glyceria aquatica variegata, Glyceria spectabilis 'Variegata'
Genus
Glyceria Glyceria
Species
G. maxima var. variegata - G. maxima var. variegata is a vigorous, aquatic, rhizomatous perennial grass with keeled, narrowly strap-shaped, cream, green, and white-striped leaves, often flushed pink when young, and panicles of green to purple-green spikelets in mid- to late summer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading
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Colour
Flower
Flushed purple, Green in Summer
Foliage
Cream, White, Variegated, Green, Flushed pink in Spring; Cream, White, Variegated, Green in Summer; Green, Cream, White, Variegated in Autumn
General care
Pruning
Divide every few years in spring to avoid congested plants. Cut back in late autumn after the leaves die down.
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Glyceria maxima var. variegata (Variegated reed sweet-grass) will reach a height of 0.8m and a spread of 2.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Aquatic, Bog garden, Low Maintenance, Waterside, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in reliably moist, fertile soil or in water up to 15cm deep in full sun. Grow in baskets of loam to restrict spread. Site carefull as may become invasive. Not suitable for small ponds.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Boggy damp conditions, Moisture-retentive, Pond/In water
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Boggy damp conditions, Moisture-retentive, Pond/In water | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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By Garden Designer Tony Woods. As our world changes, the need to take care of our most precious resource is greater than ever. Weather is increasingly unpredictable, with drier summers… read more
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