Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
Overview
Uses: Cold hardy, perennial ornamental flowering grass. Perfect for patios, containers, and gardens!
Benefits: Long lasting plumes of golden, flowery seed heads! Tolerates heavy clay! Fast growing and virtually care-free!
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Perennial
Mature Height: 36" - 60"
Mature Width: 18" - 30"
Bloom Season: Summer
Summary
Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' —commonly called Feather Reed Grass—is an extremely popular, award winning, and beautiful cold-hardy variety of ornamental grass.
This particular cultivar, Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ is the first ornamental grass to receive the Perennial Plant of the Year Award®, earned for its undemanding growing requirements, long-lasting plumes, and overall good looks!
It's best known for its vertical, feathery, golden flower plumes that gracefully sway with the wind, eventually turning to seed and often persisting throughout the winter, adding interest to a variety of landscapes!
A great ornamental grass for many different locations. Plant groups of them together to create an attractive landscaping bed, use in corner beds, with other perennials, with fencing, or to create borders.
Seeds are sterile, so self-seeding is not an issue.
Deer, drought, rabbit, and air-pollution tolerant.
Care
Feather Reed Grass Care
Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ is extremely low maintenance and easy to care for.
Fertilizations will accelerate growth and keep your plant well fed. We suggest using our slow release fertilizer, or something similar.
Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass may be grown in partial sun, although full sun is slightly better. The quality of the flowers and the erect nature of the foliage are the first to suffer if sunlight is insufficient.
Water regularly after planting and throughout its first year of establishment, or in periods of drought. Although this plant is considered drought tolerant, its ideal soil is moist, rich, and well draining.
It may be cut back it it becomes too large, or falls over. It's suggested to cut back this grass in late winter, just prior to the formation of new year growth. Leave at least 2" of foliage when cutting back.
Propagation is best achieved via division in spring shortly after new growth resumes.
Size
Size of Feather Reed Grass for Sale Online
The Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' that we sell online will ship in a greenhouse grade grow pot. Each plant will be appropriately sized for its pot. Please contact us with any specific questions.
Size of Feather Reed Grass When Fully Grown
Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' typically grows to a fully mature height of around 3' to 5', and a width of around 1.5' to 2.5'.
Additional Information
Common Names of Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
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Feather Reed Grass 'Karl Foerster'
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Karl Foerster Ornamental Grass
Toxicity and Risks of Feather Reed Grass
Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' has no reported toxic effects that we're aware of.
