It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. Will take light shade, although too much shade can cause flopping. Use a hedge trimmer or grass shears to cut the old spent blades and stems back to 3 to 5 inches (7.5 to 12.5 cm.) These grasses are so flexible about site and soil condition, with a resistance to pests and disease, that their requirements are limited and make them perfect for urban or container gardeners. And his introduction of the feather reed grass that now bears his name is truly a perfect low-care plant! See more planting and care tips from the editors of Gardenista. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. Cut back the plant to about 4” to 5” inches above the ground, in early spring, to encourage new growth. Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora) is a cool-season, clump-forming ornamental grass that blooms early in the season and remains tall, straight, and upright throughout the growing season. It is a deciduous plant, but is one of the first of the family to show foliage in early spring. The flowers (inflorescences) give way to tan seed heads that are held above the leaves and persist throughout the winter unless pruned away. Named for the European plantsman that discovered it decades ago, "Karl Foerster" feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora "Karl Foerster") remains one of the leading ornamental grasses. This makes these plants a great option for rain gardens or boggy areas. By using The Spruce, you accept our, Feather Reed Grass vs. Korean Feather Reed Grass, 10 Best Ornamental Grasses for Containers, 20 Best Tall Plants for Container Gardens, 8 Best Ornamental Grasses to Add Privacy to the Garden, Golden Japanese Forest Grass Plant Profile, 30 Easy-to-Grow Perennials for Beginning Gardeners, How to Cut Back Ornamental Grasses in Spring or Fall, 13 Types of Colorful Ornamental Grass for Fall, Golden Japanese Forest Grass (Hakone Grass) Plant Profile, Landscaping Uses and Care for Maiden Grass. This practice will keep your ornamental grass looking its best and producing new flower stalks and foliage for the most attractive appearance. This plant has almost no pest or disease problems and feather reed grass care is easy and minimal. The severity of pruning required can vary from variety to variety, so care should be taken so that you don’t harm the plant. Feather Reed Grass Care Must-Knows Feather reed grass is one of few ornamental grasses that tolerates moist to almost wet soils. Toward the end of summer, tall flower spikes appear from the center of the mounds. Feather reed ornamental grasses are suited for USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 9. See more ideas about grass, feather reed grass, ornamental grasses. Korean Feather Reed Grass steps in where other ornamental grasses fail. In midsummer, delightful feathery reddish-brown flower spikes emerge maturing to golden-brown. Plant this grass in well-drained, fertile, rich soil that remains consistently moist. Korean Feather Reed Grass Care. The cultivated varieties of feather reed grass tend to be sterile and set no seeds that could cause them to spread aggressively. It also tends to grow in well-behaved clumps, which means you do not have to worry about it aggressively spreading throughout your garden or becoming invasive. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Feather reed ornamental grasses are excellent vertical interest plants. Most of the hybrids are sterile, so you don't have to worry about self-seeding. This will not only add expertise to your gardening hobby, but it will also help you understand its characteristics. By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. Karl Foerster was a German horticulturist who spent most of his life developing and promoting low-maintenance gardening. It is a bit less upright than feather reed grass, but still a well-behaved plant that grows 3 to 4 feet tall. There really is no correct way as long as you take the old foliage off before the new growth begins to sprout. Take the old foliage off in February to March if you decide to wait. With it’s upright growth and compact circumference, it … The flower head becomes grain-like seeds within a few days. Feather Reed Grass family is the family in which it has some properties in common with other plants in that family. Pruning should be carried out before the new growth appears. I planted a Feather Reed Grass four seasons ago and it has done wonderful with full heads. They are very adaptable to wet or dry areas with full to partial sun. Feather reed ornamental grasses should be pruned back to allow new foliage to soar above the crown in spring. Apr 24, 2017 - Explore Michelle Zunich's board "Feather reed Grass" on Pinterest. This variety of grass is very unusual as it can thrive in the shade. Korean Feather Reed Grass. Feather reed grass has narrow, upright blades that can be green or greenish-yellow, or variegated, depending on cultivar. It is normally planted in the spring from potted nursery-grown plants. The feathery flowers and slender leaves drift in the slightest breeze. Fungal rust can occur after prolonged rainy periods. Uses for Karl Foerster Grass Plants. It is regarded as a cool-season grass and doesn't care for intense heat. USDA Zone? See more ideas about plants, outdoor gardens, planting flowers. This grass provides a nice architectural, vertical accent, especially in smaller gardens. Learn More. Unlike many other grasses that have a weeping or floppy habit, feather reed grass looks tidy all year, even after it blooms. Overdam Feather Reed Grass Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Overdam’ Description & Overview Overdam Feather Reed Grass is an upright, arching, cool season grass that produces beautifully white variegated leaves. The leaves typically reach up to 2′ feet tall and measure about a half-inch wide. These grain heads can persist well into the winter, but gradually they scatter off the stalk. Ornamental grasses provide amazing texture, motion, and architecture to the landscape. Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora) is a clumping ornamental grass with numerous cultivars. What is feather reed grass? It can be used in containers or in-ground installations. Find help & information on Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' feather reed-grass 'Karl Foerster' from the RHS Grooming and Maintenance. 1408. Feather reed grass is tolerant of a wide range of soils and growing conditions, although a rich, well-draining soil with a neutral pH is ideal. It doesn’t help matters that some Stipa grasses also are called feather grasses or that Miscanthus has feathery plumes of its own. Since feather reed grass is fond of damp soil, it makes an excellent choice for bog-like areas around water gardens or even around swimming pools. Korean feather reed grass tolerates cold temperatures, including freezing conditions during the winter. These features make them an ideal choice for most gardens. It is normally planted from nursery-grown seedlings, not seeds. Feather Reed Grass After Cutting Back It is important to cut them back prior to new growth beginning in spring because pruning cuts that damage the new season’s growth will remain unsightly all season on the fresh foliage. Evergreen grasses can be trimmed in spring. Ornamental feather reed grasses (Calamagrostis) preferdamp soil, making them a good choice at the edge of a natural swimming pool, on the banks of a pond, or in a boggy corner of a backyard.) They can be divided in the fall or early spring, but gardeners in cold climates will have better luck dividing in the early spring. It is a deciduous plant but is one of the first of the family to show foliage in early spring. Grows fast. An excellent specimen for spaces needing vertical interest. Fertilizing lightly with cow manure or an organic fertilizer for lawns is optional but not necessary.Water thoroughly once every two weeks, especially during the heat of the summer.Leave foliage on the feather reed grass until spring. 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