Species feather reed grass
Green-beige foliage and pinkish-brown plumes.

feather reed grass

Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'

Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster') is a truly stunning ornamental grass. Its bright green foliage is graced with beautiful feather-like plumes that slowly transition from creamy white to bronze and finally to gold. It grows upright until early summer, when the plumes bloom, giving the grass a more horizontal appearance. Its drought-tolerance and deer resistance make it an ideal landscaping choice, while its tall graceful appearance is sure to be a show-stopper in any landscape. Whether planted alone or in combination with other plant species, feather reed grass is a magnificent addition to any garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Division,Root Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

Pinkish-purple Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster') should be watered deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions. If it is hot and dry, water more frequently. If it is cool or frequent rains, the plant can go longer between waterings. To properly water feather reeds, keep the soil evenly and consistently moist but not soggy. It is best to water in the morning and avoid wetting the foliage. Too much water can lead to root rot and should be avoided. After planting, water immediately and then water deeply once a week.

sunlight

Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster') grows best in full sun and requires 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. This grass prefers to be grown in locations with plenty of sun and with moist, but well-draining soil. It will also survive in light shade, but in these conditions, growth may be stunted. Feather reed grass is a very hardy plant species and tolerates both dry and wet conditions with ease. When grown in full sun, this grass needs to be watered deeply once or twice a week. When grown in partial shade, it should be watered more frequently.

pruning

When it comes to pruning feather reed grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'), the amount and timing depend on the desired look of the plant. Generally speaking, the best time to prune this grass is in early to late spring, when new growth begins to appear. Before cutting the plant back, it’s a good idea to remove any dead, damaged or diseased stems for the health of the plant. For light pruning, simply cut back the stems and flower spikes to about 12” - 18 inches in height. This will enable the plant to maintain its overall size and shape. Heavier pruning should be done in mid to late summer and should only remove up to 1-third of the total plant mass to ensure healthy regrowth the next season. No matter which pruning technique is used, it’s important to avoid cutting back the plant too drastically, as it could cause the plant to become weak and prone to disease.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Feather reed grass typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Feather reed grass typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map