Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’
$32.99
Calamagrostis acutiflora Karl Foerster raises slim pink-purple plumes that mature into upright golden columns for fall and winter.
- Description
- Additional information
Description
Tall narrow plumes give Calamagrostis acutiflora Karl Foerster strong vertical form without taking much ground space. Pink-purple flower heads rise above green leaves, then mature through brown and gold for fall and winter. The columnar clump can punctuate a perennial bed, create a light screen, or repeat through a prairie-style design. Its stems remain upright in wind.
Full sun produces the strongest stems and fullest plumes. Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during establishment and summer heat. A light spring compost topdressing is enough, since heavy nitrogen can weaken the growth. Leave the dry stems standing through winter, then cut the clump to the ground before new shoots appear. Aphids are occasional visitors, and open spacing helps reduce rust after prolonged rainy weather.
Additional information
| Height | 3 ft – 5 ft |
|---|---|
| Spread | 2 ft – 3 ft |
| Flowering months | June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Propagation | Divide established clumps in mid-spring when fresh shoots are active. Replant firm outer sections promptly and keep the soil moist while roots settle. |
| Pests | Serious insect problems are uncommon on Calamagrostis acutiflora Karl Foerster. Aphids may occasionally gather on tender new growth when plants are stressed. |
| Diseases | Rust can appear after long periods of rainy weather. Open spacing and soil-level watering help the narrow leaves dry more quickly. |
| Pruning | Leave the upright stems for fall and winter structure. Cut the entire clump to the ground in late winter before new spring shoots appear. |
| Hazardous | unknown |
| Variegated | no |
| Watering instructions | Keep soil evenly moist, especially during establishment and summer heat. |
| Sunlight instructions | Grow in full sun for the strongest upright stems and fullest plumes. |
| Color flower autumn | Brown, Yellow |
| Color flower spring | Purple, Pink |
| Color flower summer | Purple, Brown, Pink |
| Color flower winter | Brown |
| Aspect | East, South, West |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Habit | Columnar upright, Clump-former |
| Moisture | Wet or Damp Soil, Moist but Well Drained |
| Ph | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Position | Full sun, Partial shade |
| Scent | No |
| Shape | Column, Upright |
| Suggest planting location | Architectural planting, Flowering borders, Hedges and screening plants, Prairie style planting, Rain Garden |
| Type | Grass |
| Use for | Architectural, Screen, Low maintenance |
| Years to max height | 2 |
| Drought resistance | moderate |
| Soil | Clay, Loam |
| Local names | Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass, Feather Reed Grass |
| Blomidon Item No | C494, MO23016275, Z1CALACKF0001G, Z1CALACKF0002G, Z1CALACKF0003G, 1004809, 201785761, 202026550, 201713003, 201811270, 201811271, 201811272, 201811273, 201940942 |