Phalaris Pure Gold

Description

Phalaris ‘Pure Gold’ – golden ribbon grass

Botanical name: Phalaris arundinacea ‘Pure Gold’
Common names: Golden ribbon grass, gardener’s garters
Family: Poaceae (grass family)
Plant type: Deciduous perennial grass
Habit: Spreading, vigorous, mat-forming by rhizomes
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 60–90cm tall × spreading indefinitely
Foliage: Bright golden-yellow to yellow-green ribbon-like leaves; deciduous
Flowers: Slim, pale flower spikes in summer; grown mainly for its foliage
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Most soils, including damp and heavy ground; tolerant; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 4–9
Exposure: Sheltered or exposed; very tolerant
Native range: Species native to Europe including the UK
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Phalaris ‘Pure Gold’ is a bright golden ribbon grass with vivid yellow foliage, spreading to make bold, cheerful groundcover. Tough and adaptable, it lights up borders, damp ground and difficult spots.

GardenAdvice notes

A vigorous, spreading form of ribbon grass grown for its bright golden-yellow foliage, ‘Pure Gold’ makes bold, cheerful groundcover that lights up borders and damp areas. It is exceptionally tough and adaptable, thriving in most soils including heavy and damp ground — but it spreads energetically by underground rhizomes, so it is best given room or a contained spot.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in almost any soil in full sun to partial shade — it is remarkably tolerant, coping with damp, heavy and difficult ground. Because it spreads vigorously by rhizomes, plant it where it can roam as groundcover, or contain it with a barrier or in a large pot. Space about 45cm apart.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Cut it back in late winter, and if it becomes untidy in summer it can be sheared over to produce a fresh flush of bright foliage. Its main task is control: dig out or edge in wandering rhizomes each year to keep it in bounds, as it can be invasive in the open ground.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring, as growth begins.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free and extremely tough. Its main ‘problem’ is its own vigour — it spreads and can become invasive, so containment is the key consideration. Otherwise little troubled by pests or disease.

Uses in the garden

Useful as bright groundcover for large or difficult areas, damp ground, banks and wild corners, and excellent in a large container or pond-side basket where its spread is naturally contained.

Wildlife value

The dense cover provides shelter for insects and small creatures, and it thrives in damp, wildlife-friendly areas.

Toxicity & safety

Ribbon grass is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Pure Gold’ is wonderfully bright and tough, but be warned: like all ribbon grasses it spreads energetically by runners and can become a thug in open ground. The easy solution is to grow it in a large pot or a pond basket, or plant it somewhere it can roam freely as groundcover — and shear it over in summer if it tires, for a fresh flush of gold.

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