Calamagrostis acutiflora
Feather reed grass
Common names: Garden feather reed grass
At a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Pot size
- from 30 l
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- Flowering
- Jun–Aug
- Hardiness
- Hardy
Photo: Bildoj · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Description
Feather reed grass is a tall, upright ornamental grass that provides structure to the garden from June through winter with its slender stems. The 'Karl Foerster' variety is one of the most popular grasses in German gardens because it displays its narrow, upright flower panicles as early as mid‑June (week 25), much earlier than most other ornamental grasses. The stems remain upright in winter, bearing frost and snow, before being cut back in spring. Feather reed grass forms upright clumps and does not spread aggressively, making it well suited for fixed planting schemes. Botanically, the species is Calamagrostis acutiflora; the German name is sufficient in the garden.
Care instructions
Feather reed grass prefers a sunny to, at most, slightly shaded position and a well‑drained, fertile soil. Water newly planted clumps regularly during the first weeks; older plants can tolerate shorter dry periods. Cut back the stems only in early spring, roughly late February to mid‑March (weeks 9 to 11), just before new growth begins; this preserves the winter structure for a long time. Every three to four years, the clump can be divided in spring, which keeps it vigorous and prevents it from becoming woody in the center. A mulch layer in autumn protects the roots further, but is usually unnecessary for established plants.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
FloweringJun–Aug
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, nutrient-rich, moist, humus-rich
Feather reed grass likes free-draining, moderately moist soil with a good nutrient supply. It tolerates waterlogging in winter poorly, but short dry spells in summer well. A humus-rich, loose garden soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH suits it best.
Feeding
Medium feeder
Months
Mar, May
One dressing of mature compost in early spring is usually enough for the whole season. If you want to support new growth in May as well, mulch with a little horn shavings or rotted manure. This undemanding ornamental grass needs no more than that.
Overwintering
The stems stay standing over winter and give the bed structure; with frost or snow this looks beautiful, too. Cut back only in late winter, shortly before new growth begins in March. Feather reed grass is hardy and needs no extra protection.
Propagation
Methods
- Division
The easiest way is to divide the clump in spring, as soon as the first green tips are visible. With a sharp spade, cut off strong pieces and plant them straight away in their new site; watered in generously, they establish reliably. After 3 to 4 years division is worthwhile anyway, because otherwise the centre of the clump goes bare.
For your garden
Grow Feather reed grass yourself
Gartenkern tells you when frost is coming, when to sow and when to harvest, for your location.
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