Description

Family Poaceae
Originating from Japan.

• One of the best of any variegated foliage plants.
• Large evergreen foliage is borne on slender stems only 2.5m tall.
• Easy to grow, forming a slowly spreading clump.

One of the finest of all variegated plants, its outrageously flamboyant foliage evokes the tropics, especially when growing vigorously in summer, when the foliage and stems have purple flushes to their already stunning markings. Each broad leaf has stripes of the palest cream along their length, arranged randomly, with some leaves being almost entirely cream and others with just a few stripes.

An adaptable and reliable grower, this variety can be used as a ground cover in jungle gardens. Growing it in soil cultivated with generous amounts of horse manure in a shady position, and keeping the culms trimmed to a low level, reduces the vigor of its spreading habit and encourages it to grow even larger leaves. Old culms can be removed completely as the new shoots emerge, ensuring a display of pristine foliage for the season. Alternatively, it can be grown as a natural clump and allowed to reach its full height. In full sun, it grows faster and is more likely to develop its pink/carmine leaf and stem hues.

Moderately spreading, it is easy to grow in full sun or part shade and in pots. Height and spread after 5-10 years 2.5m x 4m.