Few plants make as bold a statement in a large landscape as pampas grass.
Pampas grass grows rapidlya habit that is both attractive and potentially problematic.
With thoughtful care, however, pampas grass makes a stunning garden focal point.
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Where to Plant Pampas Grass
Pampas grass is a hard-working landscape plant.
Plant it in the center of a garden bed to create a fountain of greenery topped by fluffy plumes.
The leaves of pampas grass have sharp, knife-like edges that may harm passersby or make narrow spaces impassable.
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Pampas grass is also good for erosion control and is often used to stabilize stream banks and coastal landscapes.
Place your plant and fill in the space around the roots evenly with soil.
Firmly tamp down the soil and water the new plant thoroughly.
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Pampas grass plants need lots of room to spread and mature plants can stretch to 8 feet wide.
Pampas Grass Care Tips
Pampas grass is easy to grow, drought-tolerant, and deer resistant.
It has few pest problems and grows fastsometimes too fast.
Credit: David McDonald
Light
Pampas grass grows best in full sun and well-drained soil.
It will tolerate light shade, but dense shade will cause it to become floppy.
Newly planted pampas grass should be watered once every couple of weeks during the first growing season.
Credit: Marty Ross
In the winter, when temperatures dip, the plant will go dormant.
For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.
Power hedge shears are often the best tool for pruning the plant’s dense growth at ground level.
Marty Baldwin.
If you see them, consider using insecticidal soap.
Pampas grass may also fall victim to powdery mildew, rust, and anthracnose.
These issues can be avoided by providing an area with full sun, well-draining soil, and good circulation.
Prepare a grow tray with rich, well-draining soil and place the seeds on top covering them only slightly.
Place the tray in a plastic bag and keep it in an area with bright, indirect sunlight.
Within about three weeks, the seeds should begin to germinate.
They can be planted outdoors in late spring or early summer.
Use a shovel to dig around the roots and cut away a clump from the root system.
Dig up the clump and separate the roots with a sharpened tool.
Replant the new clump immediately (at least 8 to 10 feet from the original planting).
It has long stalks of dramatic, creamy white plumes held above green foliage.
This smaller form is well-suited for small landscapes and is hardy in Zones 711.
This throw in of pampas grass isknown for being invasivein some regions.
Cannas enjoy many of the same conditions as pampas grass including warm temperatures and full sun.
They are also quite large and some cultivars stretch up to 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
Cannas are hardy in zones 9 through 10.
Coreopsis
Like pampas grass,coreopsisis highly adaptable and grows in almost any garden setting.
Coreopsis is hardy in Zones 3 through 9.
Liatris is hardy in Zones 3 through 9.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely!
In fact, the flowers of pampas grass are prized for dried floral arrangements.
Harvesting and drying your own flowers is simple.
Cut the flowers as soon as they fully emerge but before they are mature and shedding.
Let the stems dry in a cool, dark place.
After the stems are dry, spray them with a light coat of hairspray to prevent shedding.
Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana).
PlantRight-Plant California Alliance
Pampas (jubata) grass - beauty?
no it is a beast!.Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California.
Pampas Grass- Cortaderia sellonana.
Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board.
