Controlling the spread of Arundo Donax Vareigated Reed Grass

Hello! I just picked up a variegated Arundo Donax today and am a little concerned about planting it. I've read that it's invasive in some parts of the county, but I'm in Zone 5 and it's not really even supposed to be hardy north of Zone 6, so I'm hoping that invasiveness won't be an issue here. Also, I wanted it for its height and coloring, but I'm worried that it's going to spread laterally too much for the space it's in and compete too much with other plants. Is there an effective way to control it? Will the fact that I'm growing it in a less-than-ideal zone help? I've read estimates that it can grow from 4' to 10' wide and I'm really hoping to keep it in a clump closer to 4'. Also, if anyone has any suggestions for other similar plants that can get into the 6-10' tall range without the wide width, I'd appreciate them!

~Holly

I am also z5 and I can tell you from experience that it grows just fine in this climate. How big is the area where you want to put it? If it will be anywhere near other plants, I would dig down at least 2' and put in some sort of sturdy barrier. Concrete or something like that. Ours continually pushed a low wall built from cinder blocks out of place. It even went under the wall and came up in the grass. We finally had to remove it, it was so much trouble to control. The more water it gets, the bigger and faster it grows.

The root balls get huge and tough.

I can't say how the variegated one will act, I just had the green one. Perhaps someone who has/had it will chime in.

Ugh. It's going back to the greenhouse today! I really only have about 5' for it, and since the tag wasn't marked with the width, only the height (which was 8', which seems to be much shorter than it really gets), I took a chance and bought it. I definitely don't like it enough to deal with installing barriers and possibly having to use an axe and chainsaw to rip it out in a few years, which is what I see happening. Thanks for your sharing your observations with me!

Any suggestions for tall but well-behaved grasses with narrow growth habits?

Yes, heavy tools were used to remove it.

I only have shorter grasses. The 2 tallest are Miscanthus 'Super Stripe' and Miscanthus 'Morning Light'. They don't get very tall. Maybe 2'.

I have had the varigated donax for three years and find it well behaved, maybe 3' in diameter and 10' tall. In my zone, Morning Light may become quite a monster itself (6X6 mound) and far more aggressive than A. Donax. Karl Foerster grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora) might be better if you are looking for a tall columnar look.