Cortaderia richardii
Plumed tussock, Toe toe grass, Richard's pampas grass
Also known as Cortaderia richardii (Endl.) Zotov, Cortaderia 'Toe Toe', Cortaderia fulvida
- Height × spread
- 2.5m × 1.8m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
More slender and elegant and also somewhat more tender than Cortaderia selloana, this plant comes from New Zealand rather than South America. It forms a tight clump of arching narrow leaves and big white plumes which are magnificent. These come in summer and the plumes last well into October; but they do not go through the winter. The plumes arch over, and this adds to the flowing watery effect of the plant. In the wild, it grows in boggy places. So, it can tolerate a much soggier environment than the South American pampas grass.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Silver
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 2.5m
- Spread
- 1.8m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Prairie garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Architectural, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
After three or four weeks without rain, except for drought tolerant plants, those in the ground often get stressed. Adopt the habit of deep-watering one section of the garden each day. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Encourage plants to develop good root systems by giving occasional deep watering. Some plants, such as conifers and heathers, do not show much sign of distress so water these if in doubt.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Winter
Winter - mid-late · Planting
Prune to the ground in winter
Cut foliage to the ground before new growth starts in spring.
Where stems are grown for ornamental value, they should be removed either before new growth starts in spring, or during winter when they begin to look ragged or untidy.
Found in
More Cortaderia
Cortaderia selloana
Sellow's pampas grass
Cortaderia selloana
Sellow's pampas grass
Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila'
Sellow's pampas grass
Cortaderia selloana 'Splendid Star'
Pampas grass, Sellow's Pampas grass
Cortaderia
Pampas grass
Cortaderia fulvida (Buchanan) Zotov
Pampas grass, Tussock grass, Kakaho
Cortaderia selloana 'Aureolineata'
Sellow's pampas grass
Cortaderia selloana 'Evita'
Pampas grass