Feather Reed Grass
Calamagrostis × acutiflora
Feather Reed Grass blooms from June through August.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Feather Reed Grass
Plant it in full sun. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 4–9. Expect it to reach about 4.9 ft tall and 2 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 2 years.
When to plant Feather Reed Grass
Plant Feather Reed Grass in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 4 to 9 range, spring means March to May and fall means August or September. Once settled, it blooms from June to August.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 6 in March.
Comes in 2 varieties
Same plant, same care - pick the variety you are growing.
Good to know about Feather Reed Grass
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Worth knowing
The named cultivars like 'Karl Foerster' are sterile: they set no viable seed, so the grass never self-sows or turns weedy the way some seeding reedgrasses can. per NC State and Wisconsin
Zone range varies by source
Reliable core is 5 to 9; it is cold-hardy to zone 4, reportedly zone 3. The warm end 11 is an outlier, so 9 is the safer limit. per NC State and Wisconsin
How hard to cut back
Most sources cut the clump to the ground or about 6 inches; NC State advises leaving about a third, warning that too harsh a cut can set it back. per NC State and Wisconsin
Perennial Plant of the Year
'Karl Foerster' was the first ornamental grass named Perennial Plant of the Year, in 2001, for reliable looks, long-lasting plumes, and easy care. per Wisconsin and Missouri
Handles clay and wet soil
It takes heavy clay, moist to wet ground, and dry sites alike, so it suits pond edges, rain gardens, and clay spots that defeat most grasses. per NC State
Deer and rabbit resistant
Browsing deer and rabbits leave it alone; it is consistently listed as not favored by them. per NC State
Needs full sun to stand
The stiff, upright form that is its whole selling point depends on full sun; in shade it grows weak, flops, and flowers poorly. per NC State
What pairs well with Feather Reed Grass
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Autumn Crocus
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in early fall as this one finishes; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath; purple against orange, for contrast.
Basket of Gold
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; low at 8 in, to carpet the ground beneath; yellow sits close to orange on the wheel.
Glory of the Snow
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; low at 5 in, to carpet the ground beneath; blue against orange, for contrast.
Windflower
Takes full sun to part sun and moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath; blue against orange, for contrast.
English Daisy
Shares full sun and moderate water; opens in mid spring and overlaps into this one's season; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath.
Pansy
Takes full sun to part sun and moderate water; opens in early spring and overlaps into this one's season; low at 8 in, to carpet the ground beneath; purple against orange, for contrast.
Creeping Phlox
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath.
Wisteria
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; climbs to 26 ft behind it, height without the footprint; blue against orange, for contrast.
Try Feather Reed Grass with its top companions in a garden →
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