Take the old foliage off in February to March if you decide to wait. They are very adaptable to wet or dry areas with full to partial sun. It does get large, so do not plant too close to each other and … Plants are useful to human beings in innumerable ways. In order for your feather reed grass to stay looking its best, it is good to give them an annual pruning. However, it looks nice all winter and many gardeners prefer to leave it standing until early spring. Remove brown tips and cut back dead leaves that usually collect around the base of the plant. The seeds are generally sterile and will not germinate. Feather reed grass blooms early and retains its inflorescence all season. Pruning should be carried out before the new growth appears. In my garden, it thrives in both heavy clay soil and sandy soil on a hill. These reed grasses can tolerate extreme summer heat and clay soils. I planted a Feather Reed Grass four seasons ago and it has done wonderful with full heads. Cut back the plant to about 4” to 5” inches above the ground, in early spring, to encourage new growth. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. Choosing plants that grow and thrive in your particular climate is the very first step toward having a beautiful garden . 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.) A great-looking plant for the garden as it provides superb vertical lines. To prevent them from dying out in the center, they will eventually need to be divided, generally, every three to five years. There is some discussion on the appropriate time to trim deciduous grasses. However, it looks nice all winter and many gardeners prefer to leave it standing until early spring. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. This marvelous plant needs little special care and its site requirements are very versatile. Feather reed grass is semi-evergreen, meaning it will retain its color in milder climates. As a stand-alone specimen, the grass adds vertical appeal. 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. Try this perennial for maximum impact in the garden, but minimum impact on your yard work chores. Learn More. Since feather reed grass is an early-blooming, cool-season grass, it can be cut back in the fall. Although ornamental grasses are not grown for their flowers, they can be quite attractive, especially when the light shines through them. Feather reed grass is very versatile, working well as a specimen plant or in mass plantings. Fast growing, reliable, with a multi-season interest, this cool season grass is not only beautiful, it is also virtually care-free and quite versatile. 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. Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora) is a clumping ornamental grass with numerous cultivars. Korean feather reed grass grows in clumps with a mound of narrow green leaves. Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora) is a clumping ornamental grass with numerous cultivars. The flower head becomes grain-like seeds within a few days. It is suited for year-round growth in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9, covering most of North America. The feather reed grass, Calamagrostis acutiflora, ‘Karl Foerster’ started the grass popularity movement when it won the Perennial Plant of the Year Award. Korean Feather Reed Grass. Q. Feather Reed Grass. While excessive rainfall and heavy, poor-draining soils make many grasses flop, Korean feather reed grass thrives off the moisture. There really is no correct way as long as you take the old foliage off before the new growth begins to sprout. The importance of Feather Reed Grass is high as its benefits are more and so are Feather Reed Grass Facts. Korean Feather Reed Grass Care. It is normally planted in the spring from potted nursery-grown plants. This plant has almost no pest or disease problems and feather reed grass care is easy and minimal. 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. If you live in a climate where it does not spread so easily, you can propagate Mexican feather grass (if you desire more of it for free) by dividing the rootball on a mature plant in mid-spring. It is regarded as a cool-season grass and doesn't care for intense heat. Each mound offers about 2′ to 3′ feet of coverage when fully mature. 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. Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener, The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Young plants will need to be watered until they are established, but the mature grass can withstand long periods of drought. See more ideas about plants, outdoor gardens, planting flowers. It doesn’t help matters that some Stipa grasses also are called feather grasses or that Miscanthus has feathery plumes of its own. This annual pruning will cause your feather reed grass to be rejuvenated producing healthy … Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board, Hybrid plant; parent species are native to Europe and Asia. Additionally, feather reed ornamental grasses can tolerate heavy clay soils. See more planting and care tips from the editors of Gardenista. Feather Reed Grass, Calamagrostis A connoisseur of ornamental grasses may be able to identify a particular species at a glance. These grain heads can persist well into the winter, but gradually they scatter off the stalk. The severity of pruning required can vary from variety to variety, so care should be taken so that you don’t harm the plant. The flower head becomes grain-like seeds within a few days. Ornamental feather reed grass is a very easy plant to grow. This practice will keep your ornamental grass looking its best and producing new flower stalks and foliage for the most attractive appearance. The feathery flowers and slender leaves drift in the slightest breeze. There are very few rules in gardening, but perhaps the most important one is to work within your zone. from the ground. This variety of grass is very unusual as it can thrive in the shade. Feather reed grass is a naturally occurring hybrid cross of C. arundinacea and C. epigejos, two species native to Europe and Asia. Korean feather reed grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha) makes a nice alternative to C. x acutifloa for part-shade locations. This plant does not require any supplemental fertilizer, but organic mulch around the plant will provide necessary nutrients. In warmer climates, the plant will perform better if it receives more water. Care for your grasses by using mulch and watering them regularly. In midsummer, delightful feathery reddish-brown flower spikes emerge maturing to golden-brown. Just don’t wait too long in spring to cut it back, or the new grass will start to grow through the old blades, making it difficult to shear without cutting the new blades as well. These grain heads can persist well into the winter, but gradually they scatter off the stalk. In other zones, fall is the traditional time to divide this plant. It is a deciduous plant, but is one of the first of the family to show foliage in early spring. In some cases, they may start to self-seed. One of the most popular ornamental grasses worldwide, Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' (Feather Reed Grass) is a majestic ornamental grass, highly valued for its erect feathery flower plumes, moving gracefully with even the slightest breeze. It is normally planted from nursery-grown seedlings, not seeds. The variegation is most pronounced in climates with low humidity and cool summer nights. Unlike many other grasses that have a weeping or floppy habit, feather reed grass looks tidy all year, even after it blooms. Calamagrostis brachytricha. grass is hardy from Zone 4 to 9. Feather Reed Grass family is the family in which it has some properties in common with other plants in that family. It is a deciduous plant but is one of the first of the family to show foliage in early spring. Since it’s so common, it’s helpful to know how to care for Karl Foerster feather reed grass. Cut the plant back to about 6 inches from the ground. While they don't spread out of control, the clump does get larger. Most feather reed grasses are reliably perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9. This grass provides a nice architectural, vertical accent, especially in smaller gardens. 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. 1408. This is a grass for wet conditions; plant in low spots throughout the landscape, alongside streambanks, and around water gardens. Foliage provides protection against the cold. Toward the end of summer, tall flower spikes appear from the center of the mounds. The leaves typically reach up to 2′ feet tall and measure about a half-inch wide. Feather reed grass is relatively slow-growing for an ornamental grass, spreading gradually. If the soil is poor, fertilize in early spring with a balanced plant food. Feather red plant may grow 3 to 5 feet tall and produces an inflorescence in June that starts green and slowly blushes to purple or pink. I normally cut it back to three inches in the late Fall, but this year I let it stand and cut it back in March. In scientific classification of Feather Reed Grass, Family is … It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It is a nice complement to the late-blooming colors of fall. Read more articles about Feather Reed Grass. The flowers (inflorescences) give way to tan seed heads that are held above the leaves and persist throughout the winter unless pruned away. Plant this grass in well-drained, fertile, rich soil that remains consistently moist. 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. Remove about three to five inches of the grass with a sharp hedge shear or gas powered hedge trimmer. 4 - 9. This makes these plants a great option for rain gardens or boggy areas. Be the first to review this product. Korean feather reed grass tolerates cold temperatures, including freezing conditions during the winter. 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.) Care tips: Grows best in moist, well-drained fertile soil, and does well in moist heavy clay soil. SKU. Feather reed ornamental grasses are suited for USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 9. Like most ornamental grasses, Karl Foerster feather reed grass is easy care. Will take light shade, although too much shade can cause flopping. 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. For starters, it fits nicely into any landscape. Particularly useful as an overtopping backdrop in borders or prairie plantings. Feather reed grass is a low-maintenance hybrid, but benefits from spring pruning. And his introduction of the feather reed grass that now bears his name is truly a perfect low-care plant! Feather reed plant may grow 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 m.) tall and produce an inflorescence in June that starts green and slowly blushes to purple or pink. The cultivated varieties of feather reed grass tend to be sterile and set no seeds that could cause them to spread aggressively. These features make them an ideal choice for most gardens. See more ideas about grass, feather reed grass, ornamental grasses. However, many of the plants prefer full sun with sufficient moisture. These elegant additions to the garden as they provide year round interest and are easy to care for. The plant should receive light shade and protection against bright afternoon sunlight. The Ultimate Ornamental Grass – Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass. In the northern part of the range, protect the crowns of the plant over winter with a layer of mulch, removing it when new growth starts in the spring. Core Characteristics Wisconsin This ornamental grass spreads readily by seed in some climates. Flowering and Fragrance. They can be divided in the fall or early spring, but gardeners in cold climates will have better luck dividing in the early spring. Your feather reed grass will be a smaller plant if grown in a dry site. Find help & information on Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' feather reed-grass 'Karl Foerster' from the RHS They are also clump-forming rather than spreading by rhizomes. Grooming and Maintenance. Give it full sun. My greyhounds sure loved eating the green grass it begins with, so we had to move it out of backyard as vet said it could give blockage and harm these dogs. Divide the crowns in late winter to early spring. It’s upright, tidy form and blonde seedheads make it a very popular plant. The plants will be smaller and flop a bit if grown in too much shade. Most ornamental reed grasses just need maintenance a couple times per year. It can be used in containers or in-ground installations. By: Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. It is a bit less upright than feather reed grass, but still a well-behaved plant that grows 3 to 4 feet tall. Feather reed ornamental grasses are excellent vertical interest plants. Apr 24, 2017 - Explore Michelle Zunich's board "Feather reed Grass" on Pinterest. 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. Choose a location with rich, moist soil for the best performance, but the plant can also take dry, poor soils. Just don’t wait too long in spring to cut it back, or the new grass will start to grow through the old blades, making it difficult to shear without cutting the new blades as well. Feb 21, 2020 - Explore rochelle nunn's board "Feather reed grass" on Pinterest. This plant likes wet soils, but once established, feather reed grass is drought tolerant. Uses for Karl Foerster Grass Plants. Feather Reed Grass Care Must-Knows Feather reed grass is one of few ornamental grasses that tolerates moist to almost wet soils. Along with its easy-growing habit, feather reed grass is virtually pest-free. No special care. 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. Very easy to care for. Most of the hybrids are sterile, so you don't have to worry about self-seeding. It prefers slightly damp soil and can survive even poorly draining soil. Feather grass needs consistent moisture and is considered a cool season grass. Cut the plant back to about 6 inches from the ground. Karl Foerster was a German horticulturist who spent most of his life developing and promoting low-maintenance gardening. Foliage maintains a golden bronze color through the fall and winter. This will not only add expertise to your gardening hobby, but it will also help you understand its characteristics. Korean Feather Reed Grass Care Size and Growth. Plant it at the same depth as it was growing in the nursery container. How to Grow Mexican Feather Grass . With it’s upright growth and compact circumference, it … 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. Evergreen grasses can be trimmed in spring. What is feather reed grass? This award-winning perennial grass needs little care and it has early summer blooms and tight, vertical growth. Feather reed-grass Write a Review £ 9.99. It gives you the idea of how the plant looks, where the seed pod will be, what the seed will be like, etc. These plants can grow in USDA hardiness regions 4 to 9. Korean Feather Reed Grass steps in where other ornamental grasses fail. Every gardener must look for the required information on this plant before planting it. 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Feather reed ornamental grasses should be pruned back to allow new foliage to soar above the crown in spring. But I need a cheat sheet to tell feather reed grass (Calamagrostis) and many other perennial grasses apart.. In a mass planting with accent perennial flowers, the effect is quite surreal and dreamy. Plants tolerate a wide range of growing conditions from moist sun to dry shade. Others feel you should allow the old foliage and inflorescences to protect the crown from cold weather and trim away the debris in spring. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! The ease of care and dependability have a lot to do with the popularity of grasses, but most homeowners say, “I just like how they look!” Grasses give a minimalistic, modern look to a property that pleases a homeowner. Feather reed ornamental grasses are … K.F. Since feather reed grass is an early-blooming, cool-season grass, it can be cut back in the fall. As winter approaches, fluffy seed plumes turn creamy and then amber. Because of its upright nature, feather reed grass will create a lovely swaying screen. Growing feather reed grass from seed is not recommended. USDA Zone? Sign up for our newsletter. An excellent specimen for spaces needing vertical interest. Grows fast. Cut the clumps back to the ground … Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Karl Foerster feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutifolia ‘Karl Foerster) is the most common ornamental grass planted in Colorado landscapes. Ornamental grasses provide amazing texture, motion, and architecture to the landscape. Learn from Catherine Moravec, Horticulturist with Colorado Yard Care, as she discusses the best time to prune Karl Foerster feather reed grass in Colorado. Plant feather reed grasses in full sun to part shade. 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