Arundo donax

The Provence Cane, also known as Arundo donax in Latin, is a robust perennial grass characteristic of Mediterranean landscapes. It is found abundantly in the southern regions of France, where it thrives in wet areas that are partially flooded for a part of the year. It is also capable of surviving moderately severe droughts. With cylindrical stems marked by nodes and large trailing leaves, it resembles bamboo and can sometimes be invasive, as it occupies all the available space through its powerful rootstock. It is an excellent choice for windbreaks or privacy hedges as it can bend without breaking. It is a perfect ornamental plant for a large garden, including by the seaside.

The Provence cane 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 cultivar is a variation of this plant that is highly prized for its size and beautiful, variegated foliage.

Arundo donax is a plant that grows quickly and forms a dense, upright clump. Its culms can reach over 6 metres tall and are woody. They have long internodes where the leaves grow. The leaves are green, pointed, and linear, similar to the leaves of corn. They are evergreen in mild climates but deciduous in other regions. The plant blooms in late summer and produces fine pyramidal panicles over 50 cm long, plume-like and greenish. They turn a purple-brown colour when mature. The plant is sensitive to cold during its early years, but once well established, it can withstand short freezes of around -12°C.

This resilient grass has a strong personality and a lot of presence, and it can be a great addition to a large garden. Although it is often used to make excellent coastal hedges, the plant's slender and bushy habit makes it suitable for a variety of purposes. It can be used as a backdrop and base for creating permanent decor along the pond's edge, close to a swimming pool, for instance. However, it can be challenging to pair it with other plants, as it tends to spread and occupy the available space without regard for its neighbours. Nevertheless, it can be an excellent filler for the base of trees or large, well-established shrubs, such as the strawberry tree, Juniperus oxycedrus, or the holm oak.

This plant was once commonly used to cover huts and make canes, baskets, and doormats. It can also serve as a hedge to stabilise soil and protect crops. Despite being invasive, this plant has many benefits. Recent studies have shown that it has the potential to be a source of large-scale bioenergy, similar to Miscanthus.