Calamagrostis x acutiflora
Feather reed grass
- Height × spread
- 0.9m – 2m × 0.5m – 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Dramatic grasses that have a vertical growth habit and, as the clumps mature, make striking vertical features especially when grown in groups. There are variegated foliage forms as well as green ones. The flowers last for a long period, and in winter the foliage remains a striking feature. Although they have an often rigid looking growth habit, they move in the breezes to delightful effect. They vary in height from around 2 metres to less than half that. As with all the big architectural grasses, they provide useful screens for much of the year and are best placed so the light falls on them to highlight their beauty. They are also low maintenance, just requiring to be cut back to a few inches from the ground in spring.
- Flower colour
- Beige, Brown, Red, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, White
- Fruit colour
- Beige, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 0.9m – 2m
- Spread
- 0.5m – 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Prairie garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- 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.