Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
Feather reed grass
Also known as Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Stricta', Calamagrostis epigejos 'Hortoru'
- Height × spread
- 2m × 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Winter, Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This grass forms a severely vertical clump up to 2m (7ft) in height. Even its flowers continue the upright principle: a red bronze inflorescence which fades to buff with lasting seed heads. In winter, the plant becomes straw coloured and more spare in outline, but still vertical. The feather reed grass is worth considering if you are looking for a plant that will have shape in winter.
- Flower colour
- Brown, Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Beige
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 2m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Winter, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Prairie garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Architectural, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early · Planting
Prune to the ground
Cut foliage to the ground before new growth starts.
Where stems are grown for their ornamental value, old stems should be removed either before new growth starts in spring, or during winter when they begin to look ragged or untidy.
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.