Debbie, I think I bought the same from Wayside three years ago. I put it in full sun next to a pond with some larger plants for shade. It is still only 4 inches tall barely growing at all. I just moved it to full shade against a building. I think this bamboo needs lots of shade and no competition. Check with me next spring and I'll let you know if this works. Jennifer in Kentucky

Arundo donax 'Variegata' is a really attractive grass. I'm surprised though that the variegated reed got as tall as 16'. Usually the variegated is much shorter than the species, more like 8 to 10'. Being in zone 6, this grass does not pose a threat as an invasive, like it would in southern CA or similar. It won't even set seed where you are. The concern you'd have would just be where to place it in the bed and will it crowd out other plants. I'd actually say you have more concern with the Phalaris than with the Arundo. I've found that the Arundo, even though it grows from Rhizomes, maintains a tight enough clump to control. It also is very easy to dig out strays, although you'll want to cut back the rhizome all the way to the source or it'll just root again. The phalaris will eventually grow into the carex and crowd them out. Since it's a very surface spreader, you can contain it with edging and barriers. They won't self-sow, so it's all a matter of maintaining it within the bed. If you're persistant, you can keep it only where you want it, but creating barriers will be so much easier. Or place the phalaris in a container amongst the arundo. Same effect, just easier to control.

Any updates on this grass? I have been looking for some lately but I can not find any for sale around here. Grantgarden2

My best guess is Pleioblastus fortunei. Could also be one of several Pleioblastus chino varieties, although they tend to get larger. Take a look at the pictures on BambooWeb and see what you think.