Calamagrostis X Acutiflora Karl Foerster

 

Sometimes called feather reed grass, Calamagrostis X Acutiflora Karl Foerster is a beautiful clump-forming perennial grass with an upright growth habit. As an ornamental grass, it is prized for its feathery white and green flower heads in the summer that change to amber later on.

 

Architecturally speaking, Calamagrostis X Acutiflora Karl Foerster has a strong upright habit and its erect flower heads make a strong statement. The flower heads can be up to 6 feet tall in the right conditions with the grassy green foliage underneath growing to about 3 feet tall. It is particularly soothing to hear the flower heads rustle as they as they move and sway in the summer breeze. In autumn, the amber tone of the dry seed heads contrasts nicely with the green of the foliage.
 

From a design perspective, use feather reed grass in a narrow area as a kind of a tall accent. Placed in front of a wall or a fence, the tall and slender flower heads act as semi visual boundary or transparent hedge – your eye stops at the flower heads but you can still see through them. If you are creating a wall of ornamental grass, ideally plant Calamagrostis X Acutiflora Karl Foerster circa 60 cm apart. 

 

Calamagrostis X Acutiflora Karl Foerster also works well when planted in rockeries, mixed borders. 

 

These ornamental grasses will be dormant during the winter but will come back again in the spring time. Cut them back to ground level in February to March time to help the new growth for next year to come through.
 

Feather Reed Grass Karl Foerster loves full sun or partial shade and any moist but well drained fertile soil. Average height is around 1.5 metres with an average spread of 75 cm.