The transition of seasons is a beautiful thing to encounter, especially when you can see it happen right in your own backyard. When you add any feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’) for your landscape, you’ll enjoy the crisp autumn breeze going through its wispy foliage and the magnificent progression of autumn colors during its long flowering season.
Feather reed grass thrives in several climates, even surviving the harsh winters of Scandinavia and Canada. If it is possible to add an additional perennial grass for your planting plan, this is an easy choice.
Botanical name: Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’
Common names: Feather reed grass
USDA zones: 4-9; reported to grow from 3-9
Water requirement: Low; water bi-monthly
Sun requirement: Full sun to light shade
Mature size: 36-48″ h x 24″ spread (60-80″ h when flowering)
Tolerances: Drought, bull, soil
Huettl Landscape Architecture
Distinguishing traits. Commonly described as the bud in perpetual movement, feather reed grass brings together two good architectural qualities: perpendicular reach and motion. The light feathery foliage ebbs and sways with any amount of wind, allowing any landscape to appear more dynamic and responsive to the forces of nature.
While this bud grows to a height of 2-3′, the subtle pink foliage rosettes that look in June can reach over 5′. By autumn, the color has matured into a beautiful golden wheat hue and should stay so until snow comes, or even after. Keep a watch out now to get a glimpse of its own ideal tan lustre.
Huettl Landscape Architecture
The best way to utilize it. With good vertical elevation, permeable foliage and moderate growth rate, the design possibilities for feather reed grass are endless. In a landscape lacking linear or vertical accents, a row planting of these grasses is a fantastic way to add arrangement without creating overly unpleasant or glossy landscape. Simultaneously this plant can function as an effective screen solution if you’re wanting to block out a neighboring property or unsightly perspective — all round the ideal background.
Alternatively, a mass planting of these grasses is an obvious design option for satisfying open space and creating a naturalistic area of gold ornamental grasses. The thinner habbit of feather reed grass makes it a ideal space-saving solution in smaller distances as an accent piece — growing up instead of outside. For those looking for the ultimate in space-saving design, feather reed grass is also a perfect container plant in addition to a key floral arrangement component.
Huettl Landscape Architecture
Before you plant. As with the majority of perennial grasses, feather reed grass is long-lived, demanding and fairly maintenance free once in the floor. To be able to prevent rust disease, maintain soil drainage and good air circulation around the plant. After flowering, cut the grass back to about 12″ in late winter or early spring to clean out old growth. Being a cool-season bud, plant feather reed grass in spring or autumn and enjoy its texture, color, and motion for seasons to come.
More:
Great Design Plant: Blue Chalk Sticks
Great Design Plant: New Zealand Wind Grass
Ornamental Grasses in the Landscape
Related Posts
