Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
10/30/03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-8946, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Feather Reed Grass - Low Maintenance and High Impact in the Garden
Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator
Reiman Gardens
Some gardeners would consider the phrase "low maintenance perennial garden flower- an oxymoron. In reality, many perennials categorized as "low maintenance- may need frequent dividing, regular "dead-heading- to keep it blooming longer, and cutting back in the fall.
This week's Reiman's Pick, feather reed grass, combines low maintenance with a long season of interest. Feather reed grass, Calamagrostis Xacutiflora, is an early-blooming ornamental grass that adds changing beauty to the garden.
Feather reed grass is native to Europe and was referred to as C. epigejos Hortorum for many years. A German nurseryman, Karl Foerster, recognized that this was a hybrid of Calamagrostis epigejos and C. arundinacea, and called it C. Xacutiflora Stricta. This name was used for a few years until botanists decided that the Latinized cultivar name, Stricta, was not acceptable in botanical nomenclature. Since then, Karl Foerster has been the cultivar name known and used worldwide.
Karl Foerster feather reed grass is one of the most popular ornamental grasses. It is hardy in USDA Zones 4 - 8. It is a clump-forming grass and although the clump will grow in diameter, it does not spread into other areas or crowd nearby plants.
This ornamental grass is an early-growing, cool-season grass that blooms weeks earlier than other ornamental grasses. Its narrow, vertical plumes form at the top of strong, four- to five-foot tall stems. The airy plumes are a subtle purple in color early in the season and a delicate buff color by late summer.
Feather reed grass has several uses in the garden. It adds contrast in form and color to the garden. It provides contrast to garden design as a vertical element and compliments round or mound-shaped plants, such as dwarf conifers, false indigo, rudbeckia or purple coneflower. Feather reed grass is beautiful as a single specimen plant or in groups of three plants spaced 3-feet apart. This grass also makes a dynamic statement when several are planted in a row as a screen or along a fence.
Plant feather reed grass in a well-drained location where it will receive full sun or partial shade. It only needs occasional watering in the summer and it adds great interest in the garden through the fall months and into winter. So do not be in a hurry to cut feather reed grass back in the fall. Remove the dead foliage in early March, while the plant is still dormant. Do not wait too long, however, because new leaves emerge in early spring and these could be confused with foliage from last season.
Feather reed grass does not require frequent dividing. It will grow well and look great for several years without seeing a shovel or spade. However, if you think a clump has become too large and/or you need more plants for your garden, it is easy to divide.
Ornamental grasses, including feather reed grass, should be divided in late winter, as soon as the frost is out of the soil and before you see signs of new growth. Cut back and remove the dead foliage so that you can clearly see the size of the clump. Use a sharp spade to cut down through the clump and lift the section out by digging under it.
Even after the leaves have fallen from the trees, ornamental grasses remain as a lasting reminder of the gardening season. A collection of these beautiful perennials is the focal point this fall in the Penkhus Campanile Garden at Reiman Gardens.
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Editors: A color photo, suitable for publication, is available at right. Click on the thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The picture's fullsize photo is 272K. Caption: Feather reed grass |
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