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Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:
Pat Kolling

Taxon ID#

13

Clump forming, upright, dense, narrow-growing ornamental grass with green blades and feathery, purplish plumes that change to a tan seed head in late summer and provides excellent winter texture

Scientific  Name:

Calamagrostis x 'Karl Foerster'

Common Name 1

› Feather Reed Grass

Family:

Poaceae

Origins:

Europe, Asia, Africa and Eurasia, China, India

Plant Type:

Grass
Common Name 2

› Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass

Common Name 3

​

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

Scroll down for more information on each topic

Landscape Application Information

Seasonal Care

Resource Links

MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Medium

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4

Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Prefers rich, consistently moist soils that do not dry out, heavy clay soils with less moisture; size of plant depends on moisture supply; grows larger with increased moisture levels and in cooler climates.

Fertilizer Needs:

​

Recommended Mulch:

​

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Arching, shiny, simple, lanceolate with entire margins that emerge from the soil usually without a stem

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Pink

Flower Description:

Open, feathery, pinkish-white flower heads in loosely branched, upright, panicle up to 12 inches long

Fall color:

yes

Fall Color Description:

Showy brown or tan leaves and seed heads

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

yes

Winter Interest Description:

Showy brown or tan leaves and seed heads if not pruned

Mature height:

3 - 6'

Mature spread:

12-24"

Growth rate:

Fast

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

no

Attracts Butterflies:

no

Native Habitat:

This hybrid occurs naturally, but somewhat infrequently, in Europe. Calamagrostis, commonly known as reed grass, is a genus consisting of about 250 species of cool season grasses which are primarily native to moist to wet areas in temperate regions of the

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

yes

Used by Wildlife:

no

Swales:

yes

Wildlife Use:

​

Photo:
Nancy Glick

Hedge/Screen:

yes

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

yes

Windbreak:

yes

Ground Cover:

no

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

no

Cover Structures:

no

First Bloom:

Jul

Last Bloom:

Adds Texture/Movement:

Aug

Ornamental Accent:

yes

yes

Garden Observations:

​

Seasonal Care
Maintenance

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Cut back the foliage to about 4-6 inches in the spring before growth resumes. Aggressively remove thatch at base of plant. When foliage is removed, spring growth will begin earlier. Old foliage left on the plant can delay the crown?s warming and subsequen

Summer Care:

In hotter situations with less than optimum moisture, summer heat may cause feather reed grass to enter summer dormancy.

Fall Care:

​

Winter Care:

Grasses do not need to be cut down before winter. In fact, they are attractive when left standing and the foliage helps to insulate the crown of the plant.

Long Term Care:

Ultimate size dependent on the amount of water received, how long it grows before divisions are taken, and soil fertility

Insect Pests:

​

Wildlife Pests:

​

Diseases:

Host to several rust fungi in the genus Puccinia including P. coronata, Oat Crown Rust, and P. pygmaea

Environmental Problems:

Tolerates pollution

Landscape Problems:

​

Care Comments:

Sterile and will not reseed

Landscape Application
Resource Links

Plant Maintenance Information

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