The plants will often hold onto the plumes past fall, which adds wonderful winter interest to a garden.
The seed heads also look great in cut-flower arrangements.
The plant does not have any specific requirements in terms of soil quality or texture.
Bryan E. McCay.
It grows in moderately acidic to alkaline soil.
This tall ornamental grass adds a stunning vertical architectural element to any landscape, even in winter.
Place the grass in the hole and backfill it with soil.
Credit:KatyLR/Getty Images
Water well and keep it moist until the grass is established.
Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart.
In too much shade, however, it becomes floppy.
The Flowers, or Inflorescence, of Feather Reed Grass ‘Overdam’.Credit: Photo: Georgianna Lane / Getty Images
This makes the plant a great option forrain gardensor boggy areas.
And unlike many other ornamental grasses, it does well in heavier clay soils.
The soil’s pH should be between 6.0 and 8.0.
Plant this grass in well-drained, fertile, rich, consistently moist soil.
Once established, feather reed grass can tolerate occasional droughts.
The plant can tolerate humidity if there is sufficient air circulation around the plant.
Credit:The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Fertilizer
Generally, feather reed grass does not need much fertilizer.
For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.
Plant the grass in a container with large drainage holes, filling it with potting mix andcompost.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Keep in mind that potted plants, unlike plants in the landscape, need frequent watering and fertilizer.
Pests and Problems
Feather reed grass is not bothered by any serious diseases or pests.
In wet weather conditions, it might be affected by rusts.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
These plant diseases triggered by fungi usually disappear when the wet period ends.
Feather reed grass is relativelydeer-resistant.
Divide this grass in early spring just as new growth emerges.
If you havent done so, shear off last year’s growth.
The stalks can reach a height of 6 feet in Zones 4-9.
‘Avalanche’ Feather Reed Grass
Calamagrostisxacutiflora’Avalanche' is another variety with variegated foliage.
The foliage has white centers and green margins.
The stalks turn golden in the fall and the colorful plumes last into the winter.
It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide in Zones 4-9.
Its big blooms boast a brownish-orange central cone and a ring of long, slender, pinkish-purple petals.
The sun-loving perennial thrives in Zones 3-9.
Coreopsis
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
There are many types ofcoreopsisin both perennial and annual forms.
The tough plant sports blooms of many colors including yellow, pink, red, and orange.
The perennial sprouts wands of purplish-pink blooms, and its grass-like foliage adds interesting texture to the garden.
Blazing star is hardy in Zones 3-9 and is relatively deer-resistant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Feather reed grass is a hybrid between an Asian and a European grass species.
It produces sterile seeds, which means the plants cant spread by seed and become invasive.
