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Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass Calamagrostis acutiflora

Flower Season
  • Spring
  • Summer
Mature Size
6' 3' 1.8m 91cm
Height: 4' - 6'
Spread: 2' - 3'
Height: 1.2m - 1.8m
Spread: 61cm - 91cm
Proven Selections
Award Winner
Online Exclusive
  • 48 - 72 Inches
    24 - 36 Inches
    24 - 36 Inches
    1.2m - 1.8m
    61cm - 91cm
    61cm - 91cm

    Features

    Dramatic red-bronze flower spikes early to midsummer; will beautify your garden year after year

    Award Winner
    Heat Tolerant
    Deadheading Not Necessary
    Attracts: 
    Birds
    Grass: 
    Grass

    Characteristics

    Plant Type: 
    Perennial
    Height Category: 
    Tall
    Garden Height: 
    48 - 72 Inches 1.2m - 1.8m
    Spacing: 
    24 - 36 Inches 61cm - 91cm
    Spread: 
    24 - 36 Inches 61cm - 91cm
    Flower Colors: 
    Green
    Flower Shade: 
    Green
    Foliage Colors: 
    Yellow
    Foliage Shade: 
    Yellow
    Habit: 
    Upright
    Container Role: 
    Thriller

    Plant Needs

    Light Requirement: 
    Part Sun to Sun

    The optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).

    Maintenance Category: 
    Easy
    Bloom Time: 
    Early Summer
    Bloom Time: 
    Mid Summer
    Bloom Time: 
    Early Winter
    Bloom Time: 
    Late Summer
    Bloom Time: 
    Mid Winter
    Bloom Time: 
    Early Fall
    Bloom Time: 
    Late Winter
    Bloom Time: 
    Mid Fall
    Bloom Time: 
    Late Fall
    Bloom Time: 
    Late Spring
    Hardiness Zones: 
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
    Water Category: 
    Average
    Uses: 
    Cut Flower
    Uses: 
    Dried Flower
    Uses: 
    Grass
    Uses: 
    Landscape
    Uses Notes: 

    Great for landscapes and as a specimen plant

    Maintenance Notes: 

    Check out our Guide to Ornamental Grasses Care to learn all about planting, cutting and dividing. 

    Karl Foerster is cool-season grass. Cool-season grasses put on most of their growth in spring before temperatures begin exceeding 75 degrees Fahrenheit and in the fall when temperatures cool down. They generally maintain good color through the summer but won't grow much when it is hot.
    Cut back cool season grasses in very early spring.

    Cool season grasses tend to look good even as the weather cools. Leave their foliage in place until spring and then as soon as the snow is gone cut them back. Leave about 1/3 of the plant in place. Trimming cool season grasses too harshly can irreparably harm the plant.

    Divide cool season grasses in spring or early fall. Cool season grasses are actively growing in spring and fall. These grasses can be transplanted at either time of the year but early spring is probably the best time to divide. If you do divide them in the fall, be careful that the freeze/thaw cycles of winter don't heave the plants out of the ground, this happened to a couple of my coral bells last winter.

    Cut clumps of grass to the ground in late winter before new shoots appear.

    2001 Perennial Plant of the Year

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