Description
Phalaris arundinacea ‘Strawberries and Cream’, commonly known as Strawberries and Cream Ribbon Grass, is a striking variegated ornamental grass prized for its vivid pink and cream-striped foliage. This vigorous cool-season perennial grass originates from the species Phalaris arundinacea, commonly called reed canary grass, native to wetlands and riverbanks in North America, Europe, and Asia. The ‘Strawberries and Cream’ cultivar was developed to showcase a unique and vibrant variegation pattern, combining creamy white margins with bright pink stripes that fade to green as the season progresses, providing continuous seasonal interest. It typically grows 2 to 3 feet tall, forming dense clumps that add dynamic texture and color contrast in mixed borders, containers, or as a groundcover. This cultivar is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, including moist to wet soils, making it suitable for rain gardens or naturalized landscapes. Its upright, arching foliage lends movement and softness to garden compositions, and it is deer resistant and relatively low maintenance. The plant is also valued for its adaptability and erosion control capabilities along waterways. Phalaris ‘Strawberries and Cream’ has gained recognition among garden designers and horticulturists for its eye-catching variegation and robust growth habit, making it a standout ornamental grass choice in modern perennial gardens.