‘Karl Foerster’, ‘Overdam’ and Others
Popular with garden designers, this tall-growing upright grass brings a strong vertical accent to the perennial garden. The varieties ‘Karl Foerster’ and ‘Overdam’ are the most widely used.
Also known as ‘Feather Reed Grass and flowering from early summer, enjoy the seasonal changes as the flower panicles and then seed heads change from bronze to beige in late autumn.
With strong vertical growth Calamagrostis commonly called Feather Reed Grass adds structure to the garden border.
Grown both for the foliage as well as the flowers or seed heads that rise above in late summer and last well into winter
A number of varieties are regarded as being very useful landscaping grass.
How To Grow Calamagrostis Grass – Basic Care
The usual suggestion is to plant in clumps of 3 or more. However single plantings or mass plantings through the spine of a wide border also work well.
Whatever the use it is planted the same way.
All species generally prefers a moist soil and can survive in part shade.
This is a summer flowering grass and is best planted in early spring to allow the roots to establish before summer and drying soils.
You can also plant in late summer once the weather cools a little. The warm soil will encourage new root growth before winter.
Planting Calamagrostis
- Prepare the soil by digging in aged cow manure and compost.
- Add a little slow release fertiliser to the soil.
- Make sure the soil is well drained, hill up the garden bed if needed to improve drainage.
- The planting hole should twice as wide as the root ball, and a little deeper.
- Add some of the loose soil to the bottom of the planting hole to raise you new plants to the correct level.
- Backfill around the plant .
- Plant or Space at around 60cm (24 inches) apart. Up to a 1m (3ft) if you wish to maintain distinctly seperate clumps.
- Water in well and maintain moisture especially through the first spring and summer.
- Mulch around the plant to maintain a cool root run.
In containers make sure the the container is large enough (and heavy enough) to hold the plant, and give it room to grow. Prepare the soil in the same way, plant and water in.
In containers you will need to divide the clump every 3 – 4 years to maintain vigour and best look.
Calamagrostis Varieties
- C. ‘Karl Foerster’ has dark green foliage with a reddish tinge. This is a hybrid between C. arundinacea and C. epigejos and its seeds are sterile.
- C. acutifolia is known as ‘feather grass’ and is a clump forming evergreen to semi evergreen grass which is used as an ornamental grass.
- C. x acutiflora ‘Overdam’ – Variegated Feather Reed Grass has green and white foliage and is a most attractive ornamental grass.
Pruning and Division of Calamagrostis Varieties
You can prune back in autumn, however we prefer to leave the tall flower heads over winter as they add interest and structure.
Try pruning back in late winter to early spring just before new growth commences. You can generally prune back hard to around 15cm.
Clumps are best divided every 4 years or so. Use the newer growth to replant, digging over the soil and replenishing with some well rotted compost. Water in well with a liquid seaweed
When used in landscaping projects Calamagrostis species can make a dramatic impact. All species generally prefers a moist soil and can survive in part shade.
You can prune back in autumn, however we prefer to leave the tall flower heads over winter as they add interest. Try pruning back in late winter to early spring just before new growth commences. You can generally prune back hard to around 15cm.
Clumps are best divided avery 4 years or so. Use the newer growth to replant, digging over the soil and replenishing with some well rotted compost. Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
Landscaping Uses
When used in landscaping projects Calamagrostis species can make a dramatic impact.
This is a grass that can be used in a variety of landscaping projects.
It is a grass that forms natural tight clumps and can reach around 160cm (5ft) in height depending on soil and climate. Low maintenance, low water requirements and with no need for regular fertiliser make them a low maintenance ornamental grass.
- Mass planting to act as a ground cover plant.
- Use it in narrow areas.
- Planted in the garden border to form a clump where the foliage adds interest year round and flowers the seed heads an extra architectural impact.
- Grown in containers in courtyards or an a patio.
- Useful to plant along driveways to soften the edges.
Calamagrostis are available for sale from the following nurseries
Large variety of Epimediums, Woodland plants and Herbaceous perennials
Mail order or nursery. We do not send to Tasmania or WA
www.cloverhillrareplants.com
52 Rodd St Canowindra NSW 2804
An online nursery specialising in drought and frost tolerant perennials and fragrant, edible and herbs.
www.perennialle.com.au
www.planterspatch.com.au
Large range of Rare, Unusual and Old Fashioned Perennials. Includes Artemisias, Achilleas, Geraniums, Geums, Salvias, Penstemon and Francoa.
www.yellowhouseheritageperennials.com.au
Little Hampton, Vic 345
"Mail order nursery specialising in cottage garden perennials, flowering shrubs, Trilliums, Hostas and Pacific Coast Iris. Flat rate express postage - Except WA & TAS"
www.botanicaltreasures.com
'Umbango' 750 Humula Rd, Humula NSW 2652
Phone 0408692773 Great Range of Perennial plants available for sale by mail order.
www.nutshellnursery.com.au