- The pros and cons of reeds in the garden
- Which type of reed is right for my garden?
- What should be considered when planting?
- How high is the maintenance effort?
Reed, often also called reed, grows quickly and densely and is often grown as a privacy screen in the garden or at the edge of a pond. But reed also has its disadvantages. Find out below the advantages and disadvantages of reeds in the garden and what you should pay attention to when planting and caring for them.
Chinese reed also thrives on dry land
The pros and cons of reeds in the garden
| The advantages | The disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Reed is sturdy | Depending on the species, the reed needs a lot of water |
| Reed is easy to care for | Reed grows extremely strong |
| Reeds grow very quickly | Reeds are very difficult to remove |
| Reed grows very densely and is therefore suitable as a privacy screen and hedge | Reed crowds out other plants |
| Reed is hardy |
Which type of reed is right for my garden?
Which type of reed you choose depends primarily on two factors:
- How high should the reed grow?
- What is the location like?
If the reed is to serve as a privacy screen, the giant Chinese reed is ideal, for lower hedges you should use the dwarf reed.
If the location is swampy, you can use bulrushes, for example, which are wonderful for pond planting. Chinese reed is more suitable for a drier location in the garden. A comprehensive overview of the reed species and their special features and growth heights can be found here.
What should be considered when planting?
As already mentioned, reeds are extremely overgrown. It is therefore highly recommended to install a root barrier when planting. Otherwise the reeds can hardly be kept in check.
Most species prefer moist, light locations. However, some, like the Chinese reed, do not need wet feet all the time.
How high is the maintenance effort?
Reeds are easy to care for and only need a little attention shortly after planting. Care should be taken here to ensure that the soil is always kept moist and a sufficient supply of nutrients, e.g. through fertilizer or compost, should be ensured. Once the reeds have established themselves, all you need to do is ensure that they are watered adequately. Compost fertilization once a year is also useful. Detailed information on caring for reeds can be found in our care guide.
Pruning is advisable at least once a year, especially for tall species, to keep growth in check and give the reeds a pretty shape.