Arundo donax Aureovariegata

The Arundo donax 'Aureovariegata' is a bright variegated form of the giant reed, with foliage and culms remarkably striped with cream-yellow on a green background. This perennial forms a giant clump with erect culms reaching almost 2m (7ft), bearing long deciduous, lanceolate and arching leaves. This majestic grass resembles tall bamboo or reeds and forms very effective and aesthetic screens at the back of a massif near the water. The hardiness of variegated varieties like this one is lower than that of the species. Thick mulching is recommended outside of mild climate regions. Otherwise, it is a robust plant that adapts to all moist to wet soils in full sun.

The Provence cane is also known as the giant reed. It is a perennial grass belonging to the large family of Poaceae. Its origins can be traced back to tropical Asia, but it has naturalised in many warm regions, particularly in subtropical climates. This plant is often found in marshes and can grow in various soil types, including sandy, loamy, poor, and limestone soils. The cultivar is a variation of this plant that is highly prized for its size and beautiful, variegated foliage.

The Arundo donax 'Aureovariegata', anchored on powerful trailing rhizomes, quickly forms a dense, very erect clump composed of woody and robust culms, reaching 3 to 4 cm (1 to 2in) in diameter. These culms can grow up to 1.8m (6ft) or even 2m (7ft) from the ground, and the base spreads without limit over time, although this variety is less vigorous than the species. This plant has long, segmented stems with leaves resembling corn. The stems and leaves change colour as they mature, from almost white to dark green with white-silver streaks, light green, cream, and finally yellow. The leaves are 40 cm (16 inches) long and 5 cm (2 inches) wide, with rough, sharp edges. The stems have pink reflections when they are young. The leaves come out from the nodes on the stem. They are evergreen in mild climates but deciduous in other regions. The 'Aureovariegata' giant reed rarely flowers at the end of summer, during long and hot summers. The plant produces long, pyramid-shaped panicles that look like feathers and are green at first but turn reddish-brown as they mature. The plant can be damaged by frost when it is young, but once established, its root system can handle short periods of freezing temperatures around -10°C. 

The 'Aureovariegata' giant reed is a beautiful and grand grass perfect for large gardens and contemporary terraces. It is less invasive than other types of reeds but is highly ornamental and deserves a prominent place in any garden. It is best planted in the back of a massif, along a pond, or near a swimming pool as a permanent decoration. However, planting it with other plants can be challenging as it spreads and has a strong personality. It can be paired with hardy banana plants, large yellow-flowering daylilies, or colocasia in an exotic setting.