Black Bamboo

Zebra grass - Miscanthius sinensis zebrinus - is a variegated grass, but unusually the lighter variegated stripes run around the leaves rather than along the leaves.

It grows quickly to 2 metres in height (not clear in this picture because the bottom half is invisible behind other planting).

Giant reed - Arundo donax variegata - can apparently grow up to 7 metres high. After planting ours two years ago, it is now perhaps 2 metres high. And spreading fast!

It is a dramatic, often variegated grass with the leaves on strong thick stems, which grow from hard, dense rhizomes.

If you are looking for a grass which will add a hint of drama to your borders this is a good choice - Stipa gigantea forms a low clump of grey/green leaves with great stems of golden, oat-like flowers over a metre high.

It can be used in amongst low plants to provide vertical accents or can be put at the front of herbaceous borders so that you view the other plants through the graceful stems of the grass.