Species Slim Stem Small Reedgrass
beige-brown flowers with lime-brown stems

Slim Stem Small Reedgrass

Calamagrostis stricta

Also Known As - Western Bluejoint
Slim Stem Small Reedgrass (Calamagrostis stricta) is a perennial tufted grass native to North America. It has fine textured, stiff, dark green foliage and slim, upright stems with small silvery spikes at the tops. Growing to around 8 inches tall and 2 feet wide, it has a clumping habit, making it ideal for spots that need a bit more texture and dimension. Flowering occurs in summer with light brown, feathery plumes that lend interest to the landscape. Slim Stem Small Reedgrass is deer resistant, drought tolerant and will thrive in a variety of soils and light conditions. A great choice for container gardening, lawns and mass plantings.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Yellow Flowers

Sun:

Sun

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

High

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Slim Stem Small Reedgrass (Calamagrostis stricta) should be watered infrequently and deeply. Begin by saturating the soil with water when planting and during the seedling establishment phase. Going forward, water the grass deeply every 2-4 weeks to ensure it receives 1-2 inches of water per week. Once the grass has firmly established itself, waterings can be spaced further apart, but should still be done regularly to keep the soil moist.

sunlight

Slim Stem Small Reedgrass (Calamagrostis stricta) requires full sun for optimum growth, making it an ideal choice for landscaping in sunny, open areas. The plant prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, although more sun is beneficial. To ensure the best results, this plant should be planted in a sunny location from spring to late summer. With adequate amounts of sunshine, the plant will produce healthy, robust shoots of foliage and abundant amounts of airy flowers. It is important to be aware that too much sunlight can cause the plant to become dry and wilted, so it is best to limit exposure, especially during the hottest part of the day.

pruning

Slim Stem Small Reedgrass (Calamagrostis stricta) should be pruned in late fall or early spring when the plant is dormant. To promote vigorous growth, remove spent or dead stems and thin out the foliage as needed. Cut the stems back to a few inches above the ground and reduce the overall size of the clump if necessary. This will encourage new, vigorous growth from the base of the plant. Avoid pruning too much, or the plant may be weakened.

Season

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

Calamagrostis stricta typically starts flowering in June.