Plant of the Day: Phragmites

DESCRIPTION: These tall, aquatic perennials, commonly known as the Common Reed Grass, are natives of North America and many other regions. P. maxima is an attractive Grass for landscape planting. Growing up to 15 feet high, this variety is too invasive and large for most water gardens. It produces plumed flower heads that can be dried and used for decoration. This plant grows naturally in marshes with brackish or sweet water. P. australis 'Aurea', the Variegated Dwarf Common Reed, is a handsome Grass with green foliage variegated with yellow. Its flower plumes may also be dried and used in floral arrangements. This species isn't as vigorous growing as P. Maxima and only grows 3 to 4 feet in height. It is suitable for growing in your water garden.

VARIETIES:

P. maxima & var. variegata;

P. australis & var. Aurea.

Phragmites, the Common reed, is a large perennial grass found in wetlands throughout temperate and tropical regions of the world. Phragmites australis is sometimes regarded as the sole species of the genus Phragmites, though some botanists divide Phragmites australis into three or four species. In particular the South Asian Khagra Reed – Phragmites karka – is often treated as a distinct species.

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{[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phragmites]}