At least a half a dozen qualify. Can you post an image?

As Jean indicates, there are several, possibly dozens of grasses which have that sort of variegation. Lots of Carex cultivars, several Miscanthus, a few Calamagrostis, etc..

It's unlikely any of these would be invasive in your zone. Heights vary from under a foot to a good 4-5 feet, although there are some which will go much taller, like a variegated Arundo.

Could be a Phalaris as well...and that IS an aggressive spreader :-) The only way to confirm any kind of ID is to post a photo.

Thanks! I had a feeling that a verbal description would not be enough. Camera is working (for now), so I hurried up and got pictures.

I thought at first they were the same variety but now IÂm not sure. The smaller one at the right in the second picture has much more white in each blade.

Here they are:

It looks like Phalaris, Phalaris arundinacea var. picta 'Picta' to be specific, and as gardengal states, it's a very aggressive spreader. In some states, it is classified as invasive. It's hardiness range goes down to zone 4, so you're near the bottom end, which will slow it down somewhat. If you grow it in a very dry location, that can also slow it down.

My favorite method for growing it is in containers, either above ground, or buried in a container with the bottom cut out. A heavy duty, deep nursery pot (18" or more), with no bottom, buried in the ground with just an inch exposed will effectively contain it. Like Bamboo, rhizomes will try to escape over the top, but you can easily spot them and cut them off.

If it was given away for free, it's likely a Phalaris.. or Glyceria maxima "Variegata"- they both behave the same way.

Well, it was a swap, and lots of people brought very nice plants. Everything from dead-common like Stella DÂOro daylilies, to what I thought were more unusual things like pulmonaria and true geraniums. Since I donÂt have grasses thatÂs one of the things I was looking for. Do you mean that really good grasses donÂt get given away? (Or really aggressive grasses expand so much that people have to give some away to keep their stand within bounds ?) : )

IÂll have to see if I can find a picture of a large stand of this and see what I may be getting myself into. Do you think both grasses are the same, even the one that is more white?

Donn, when you describe sinking the pot "buried in the ground with just an inch exposed" do you mean leave the rim of the put sticking up out of the ground one inch?

"Donn, when you describe sinking the pot "buried in the ground with just an inch exposed" do you mean leave the rim of the put sticking up out of the ground one inch?"

Yes. You can hide it with mulch and still see the escaping rhizomes.

Yes...I'd think both the whiter example and the other one are the same. If one of them (probably the whiter one) has a tinge of pink at the edges of the margins, it may be a different cultivar, but it isn't unusual to see different colorations within the same clump of Phalaris.

I once saw a large stand of Phalaris, planted in a teardrop-shaped island in a turnaround driveway. It was the only plant in this ~10' diameter island, and was surrounded by blacktop. It was absolutely stunning, and couldn't run anywhere.

I have this one in zone 5. For me it spread very slowly and easy to keep in check. I just pull of the outer edged new plants.
My problem with it, is gets brown on the top in the winter. then I struggle, should I cut it back in the spring? it looks awful til it greens up but looks worse -- choppy when i cut it back. thoughts?

I would not let it into my garden, I've seen it at work....

In this climate it spreads very aggressively....

Could be great in a sturdy pot....it does have lovely coloration especially with a touch of pink as I've seen it.

beware! I just spent about 3 hours pulling up a patch that had taken over a raised flower bed. Hope I got the roots!