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    • Photo of Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' landscape by Karl Gercens III

    Photo by Karl Gercens III

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Buy Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'

    Also Known As

    • Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerester'
    • Karl Foerester Feather Reed Grass

    Plant type

    perennial, grass / grass like

    size

    • H: 3'-5'
    • W: 1'-2'

    planting zones

    • 4a-10b

    3" | $12

    Ships USPS, based on weight/location

    35 at Secret Garden Growers

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    Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' plant details

    Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' is a fast-growing deciduous or semi-evergreen perennial grass (or grassy in appearance) with green foliage. In fall tan flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, gritty, lean and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'

    Plant type: perennial grass (or grassy in appearance)
    Plant family: poaceae
    Foliage: deciduous or semi-evergreen green
    Mature size: 1 FT - 2 FT - wide, 3 FT - 5 FT - tall
    Flowers: tan blooms in fall
    Uses: border plant, container plant, easy-to-grow, fall color, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'

    USDA Zones: 4a - 10b
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
    Watering frequency: even moisture - low
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, clay, gritty, lean and well-drained

    We independently publish plant data to search multiple nurseries at once. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases when you buy through our links.

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    This clump-forming grass has a strong, upright (practically columnar) habit which makes it a valuable structural grass for mid and back of the border and for mass plantings. Plume-like seed heads are carried on tall stems in summer which persist into winter. A hybrid between two widespread Eurasian grasses: C. arundinacea and C. epigeios. Selected by the Perennial Plant Association as Perennial Plant of the Year 2001.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    A non-invasive grass, ornamental throughout the year with loose, fan-shaped flowers on 5' stalks which turn yellow during the summer and then open again for interest through fall into winter. S-PSh/M

    By: Forestfarm

    Easy to grow in areas with adequate year round moisture, will even thrive in clay soils. Nice uniform clumps of narrow, vertical, bright green leaves 3’ tall and 2’ wide are topped by 5’ tall feathery plumes in summer with pink or purple hues, the seed heads dry and last well into fall/winter. Best in full sun and most soils, moist to wet (even pond edges or stream banks). I do have some customers that swear these tolerate some drought, but they sulk for us without plenty for moisture. Looks best in groups of at least 3. This is technically evergreen but cut back in early spring for a fresh flush of foliage; deer resistant.

    By: Secret Garden Growers

    Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' is an herbaceous grass that displays stiff, upright leaf blades in spring, followed by 6" tall flower stalks in summer. Green-purple plumes turn gold in late summer. They remain interesting well into winter. Ornamental Grasses are low maintenance and grow well in most soil types. They look beautiful, adding color, height, and movement to your garden. Feather Reed Grass is an excellent companion plant with contrasting foliage.

    By: Little Prince of Oregon

    This grass is an excellent, versatile, vertical accent for many applications. Brownish-tan feathery, waving seed heads in late summer and fall are a striking feature. Clumping perennial, 4'T. Sorry, grasses and sedges cannot be shipped to California.Minimum temperature: -30 °F

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Ornamental grass with erect clumps of green blades that are topped with flower panicles up to 15" long starting in the early summer. Flowers are pinkish green, turning to straw colored, and maintain ornamental value until late winter. This slow-spreading, clump-forming, cool season ornamental grass is a great pick for heavy clay soils. Will not self seed in the landscape - seeds are sterile. Growth Rate fast

    By: Garden World

    This deep green, upright grass provides a graceful, tall accent in the garden. It blooms early in the spring, with feathery, purple-tinted inflorescences, up to 6' tall, which fade to buff by late summer. Tolerant of a wide range of conditions, from full sun to partial shade.

    By: Greer Gardens Inc.

    Gardening facts about Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' plant

    How to Grow Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - drought tolerant

    • Soil Needs

      • clay
      • adaptable
      • average
      • lean
      • well-drained
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • tan

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Flower Season

      • fall

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous
      • semi-evergreen

    • Texture

      • grassy

    See other plant types of Calamagrostis for your garden

    Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Eldorado' PP16486

    aka Eldorado Feather Reed Grass

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

    Zones

    4a-10b

    Size

    Height: 4'-5'

    Width: 2'

    • sun
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Eldorado' PP16486 flower by CBG Circle Gdn
    View Plant

    Calamagrostis foliosa

    aka Leafy Reed Grass

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

    Zones

    8a-10a

    Size

    Height: 2'-3'

    Width: 24"

    • sun - mostly shade
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Calamagrostis foliosa foliage by Native Sons
    View Plant

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    Calamagrostis nutkaensis

    aka Calamagrostis nootkatensis, Pacific Reed Grass

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

    Zones

    7a-11

    Size

    Height: 2'-5'

    Width: 3'-6'

    • sun - shade
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Calamagrostis nutkaensis by Cactus Jungle
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    Calamagrostis arundinacea

    aka Achnatherum brachytricha, Achnatherum brachytrichum, Calamagrostis arundinacea var. brachytricha, Calamagrostis brachytricha, Calamagrostis x acut. ' Brachytrica ', Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Brachytrica', Stipa brachytricha, Achy Breaky Heart Grass, Diamond Grass, Fall Blooming Reed Grass, Korean Feather Reed Grass, Reed Grass

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

    Zones

    4a-9b

    Size

    Height: 24"-48"

    Width: 12"-36"

    • sun - mostly shade
    • regular
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Calamagrostis arundinacea foliage by Confessions of a Plant Geek
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    Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Avalanche'

    aka Calamagrostis x 'Avalanche', Avalanche Feather Reed Grass

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

    Zones

    5a-9b

    Size

    Height: 2'-4'

    Width: 2'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - regular
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Avalanche' foliage by Intrinsic Perennial Gardens
    View Plant

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    +6 more Calamagrostis
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