Common Reed: Why This Wetland Giant Should Stay Out of Your Garden
If you’ve ever wandered near a marsh, pond, or wetland area, you’ve probably spotted the towering, feathery plumes of common reed (Phragmites australis) swaying in the breeze. While this impressive grass might look like it belongs in a naturalistic garden setting, there’s a compelling reason why most gardeners should steer clear of this particular plant – it’s one of North America’s most problematic invasive species.
What Exactly Is Common Reed?
Common reed is a perennial grass that can grow up to 13 feet tall, making it quite the garden giant. This graminoid (grass-like plant) spreads rapidly through underground rhizomes and produces distinctive feathery, purplish-brown seed heads that appear in late summer and fall. The plant has a bamboo-like appearance with tall, sturdy stems and long, narrow leaves.
You might also encounter this plant under various scientific synonyms, including Phragmites communis, though Phragmites australis is the accepted botanical name.
Where Does Common Reed Grow?
Common reed has an incredibly wide distribution, growing in nearly every U.S. state and Canadian province. From Alberta to Alabama, from California to Connecticut, this adaptable plant has established itself across diverse climates and conditions. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 10.
The Invasive Species Problem
Here’s where things get serious: common reed is classified as invasive or prohibited in multiple states. Connecticut lists it as Invasive, Prohibited, Wisconsin categorizes it as Prohibited/Restricted, and several other states have similar restrictions. Alabama even classifies it as a Class C noxious weed.
The invasive nature of common reed stems from its aggressive growth habits:
- Rapid vegetative spread rate through underground rhizomes
- Dense growth that crowds out native plants
- High tolerance for various soil and water conditions
- Ability to form monocultures that provide limited wildlife habitat
Growing Conditions and Characteristics
Common reed is remarkably adaptable, which contributes to its invasive success. It’s classified as a facultative wetland plant in most regions, meaning it usually grows in wetlands but can tolerate drier conditions too. The plant prefers:
- Full sun (shade intolerant)
- Moist to wet soils
- pH range from 4.5 to 8.7
- High salinity tolerance
- Various soil textures from coarse to fine
The plant has low drought tolerance but high fire tolerance, and it can survive temperatures as low as -38°F.
Why You Shouldn’t Plant Common Reed
Despite its impressive height and feathery plumes that might seem attractive for naturalistic landscaping, common reed is a poor choice for gardens for several reasons:
- It’s legally prohibited or restricted in many areas
- Once established, it’s extremely difficult to control or remove
- It provides limited benefits to pollinators (being wind-pollinated)
- It can quickly overwhelm other plants and dominate entire areas
- It may spread beyond your property boundaries
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of common reed, consider these native alternatives that provide similar height and texture without the invasive problems:
- Native sedges like Carex species
- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
- Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
- Wild rice (Zizania species) for wetland areas
- Native rushes (Juncus species)
What to Do If You Have Common Reed
If you discover common reed already growing on your property, contact your local extension office or natural resources department for guidance on control methods. Due to its protected status in some areas and its complex native/non-native subspecies situation, professional identification and management advice is often necessary.
Remember, the best approach to invasive species is prevention. By choosing native alternatives and being mindful of what we plant, we can help protect our local ecosystems while still creating beautiful, naturalistic gardens.
