Description of Phragmites australis 'Variegatus' (Variegated Common Reed)

Phragmites australis 'Variegatus' is a variegated common reed with cream-striped leaves. It gives you height and screening fast, and it stays useful right through the season.

Appearance

It grows as tall canes with long, arching leaves marked cream and green. In late summer it can make feathery flower plumes. In wet soil it often reaches 1.5 to 2m.

Care Guide

It’s tough. The main job is keeping it contained so it doesn’t bully smaller plants.

• Sun: Full sun gives stronger stems and cleaner variegation.
• Soil: Heavy, wet soil or aquatic compost in a large basket.
• Water: Wet ground to shallow water at the pond edge.
• Control: Sink a solid pot or use a barrier to stop rhizomes running.
• Cut back: Late winter, cut down to the base for fresh spring growth.

Thin older stems in summer if you want a lighter, less dense screen.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This suits bigger bog gardens where you want a backdrop or wind filter. Place it at the back to hide fencing, filters, or the far edge of a liner.

In smaller bog gardens, keep it in a solid container and treat it as a single feature clump rather than a spreading reed bed.

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