Phalaris (ribbon grass) grows 3-4' high and has leaves that are maybe 0.5" wide.

Arundo donax 'Variegata' (variegated reed) grows 10-20' high and has leaves that are 1.5-2' wide.

Other than the fact that they are vaguely similar in color, it would be difficult to confuse them. It's like comparing a mouse and a moose.

I am guessing that the Variegated Reed grass you are referring to is Calamagrostis 'Overdam' or 'Avalanche'.

The Phalaris (ribbon grass) spreads underground. Pull up some of the outside leaves and see how they connect to the parent. If you can't pull them up because they are too close, then its probably the nicely behaved Calamagrostis. If you can tell its a traveller, then you have the very poorly behaved ribbon grass.

Also, I think that ribbon grass is more white than green and the Calamagrostis 'Overdam' is more green than white.

Phalaris started blooming awhile ago and the tips of the leaves are often pink.

The blooms of Calamagrostis are just starting to push their way up out of the foliage.

Go to Google Images for a easy way to find pictures of both.

Thanks for your replies folks. Yes, the Overdam was what I was hoping it was but it seems it's most likely the darn'd Ribbon grass. It's more white than green, it has shoots coming up ouside the main mound and it's only about 12-16" tall and seems to be staying that height. Oh well...out it comes and I'll just have to chalk it up to a learning experience.

Thanks again for your knowledge.

Barb

Mmmm.. slip of the finger...that was supposed to be "inches", not "feet"

Barb

If you like the looks of the ribbon grass but don't want it to invade the rest of your garden just plant it in a pot and sink the whole pot into the ground. It will grow quite well in there (I have some that has been in a quart pot for about 5 years) and can't send out its invasive little roots to take over the world!
I just bought two pots of Calamagrostis "Overdam"...in a couple years I'll be able to bring some to a London Trade Day :)

I love Overdam. Great, well-behaved grass. Perfect height and contrasts well with many perennials.
I have a stand of Ribbon grass that I plan on removing soon. I actually rather like it, despite it's invasiveness. Mine doesn't bloom.

Even though I'm quite sure this is Ribbon grass now, I still like the appearance of it. It is a nice tight clump and so far really well behaved but if it's true to it's species I'm sure it will go crazy. It was the rapid growth spurt it took. It's now just over a month and a half that it's been in the ground and the clump is easily 6x the original width across it's base. As such it's going but I will miss it, I just can't have such a fast growing plant in my tiny gardens. :o/

Barb

Celtic,

Your opinion of ribbon grass may change as the season progresses. This grass always starts out great then turns ratty and bedraggled looking by late summer. I finally dug mine out and naturalized it in an out of the way spot so I didn't have to look at it in August.

I bought three overcame grasses at Lowes. Only one is blooming this June. Will the others bloom? What can I do to help them????

This is a very old thread.

Time is all they need Houzz user.