Arundo donax Ely

The Arundo donax Ely (synonym 'Variegata Compact Ely') is a compact form of the Provence cane with dazzling variegated foliage. Its leaves, which are strongly edged and streaked with white, silver, and light green, take on a soft pink glow in autumn. This elegant and radiant grass is slightly less hardy than the species. Its characteristic silhouette, which resembles a reed, is ideal for adding verticality. Its modest stature is better suited to the size of our modern gardens and even container gardening.

The Provence cane, in Latin Arundo donax, 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 Ely cultivar is a variation of this plant that is highly prized for its small size and beautiful, variegated foliage.

The Arundo donax Ely, anchored by trailing rhizomes, quickly forms a dense, upright tuft composed of woody and robust canes that can reach 2 cm (1in) in diameter. These canes can rise to 1.20 m (4ft) or 1.50 m (5ft) above the ground, and the shrub spreads indefinitely over time. Each cane has long internodes, separated by nodes from which all the leaves emerge. The young shoots have pink highlights. These leaves, which resemble those of corn, are linear, pointed at their tips, sheathed at the base, and pendulous. The colour of the leaves changes successively from almost white to green streaked and bordered with white-silver and light green, with the light areas taking on a pink hue with the onset of autumn. The long leaves measure 30 cm (12in) in length and 4 cm (2in) in width, with rough and sharp edges. They are evergreen in mild climates but deciduous in other regions. The Variegata Compact Ely rarely flowers in late summer, during hot summers. It then produces a few rare, fine, plume-like panicles of 40-50 cm (16-20in) in length at the tips of its culms, which turn a purple-brown colour when ripe. The plant is tender in its early years, but its rootstock, once well-established, can tolerate short freezes of around -10°C (14°F).

The Ely Provence cane, full of light but in a "pocket-sized" format, means this untamed grass can be grown in small gardens. Although less intrusive, this plant is highly decorative and can be a great addition to modern terraces. It is perfect for creating an exceptional summer setting when placed at the back of a border, near a pond or swimming pool. However, it can be quite challenging to pair with other plants as it tends to spread and has a strong personality. However, it can be paired with purple cannas, hardy banana plants, or colocasia in an exotic setting.