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    • Photo of Calamagrostis foliosa foliage by Native Sons

    Photo by Native Sons

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Calamagrostis foliosa

    Also Known As

    • Leafy Reed Grass

    Plant type

    perennial, grass / grass like

    size

    • H: 2'-3'
    • W: 24"

    planting zones

    • 8a-10a

    More Options

    Calamagrostis foliosa plant details

    Calamagrostis foliosa is an evergreen perennial grass (or grassy in appearance) with blue and green foliage. In summer cream, pink and tan flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Calamagrostis foliosa

    Plant type: perennial grass (or grassy in appearance)
    Plant family: poaceae
    Foliage: evergreen blue and green
    Mature size: 0 - 24 IN - wide, 2 FT - 3 FT - tall
    Flowers: cream, pink and tan blooms in summer

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Calamagrostis foliosa

    USDA Zones: 8a - 10a
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
    Watering frequency: regular
    Resistant to: verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Blue-green tuft-forrming clumps. Cream-colored flowers. California native that can be found in coastal forests. Can handle some clay soils, some sandy soils. Hardy to 15ºF.

    By: Cactus Jungle

    Garnished by violet tinges, low loose mounds of glaucous blue-gray blades generally remain throughout the year and set this cool season California native apart from other North American Calamagrostis species. Slender tapering pinkish purple panicles sojourn just above the relaxed foliage in a lovely fountainlike fashion and by early summer adopt luminous flaxen hues. Cape Mendocino Reed Grass is unhappy where it's hot, appreciates summer irrigation and can be massed as an artful ground cover or peppered throughout a mixed border planting or a naturalized meadow.

    By: Digging Dog Nursery

    Blue-gray densely clustered foliage?with streaks of purple, forming low mounds to 2' wide. Dense purple panicles appear in spring, turn a tawny beige in summer, and are held for months. Best with some summer irrigation, perhaps moderately if in full sun, and only occasionally in partial shade. Useful in coastal gardens but not recommended for hot, interior climates. Hardy to 10F. Endangered species from coastal Humboldt County, California.

    By: Native Sons

    Gardening facts about Calamagrostis foliosa plant

    How to Grow Calamagrostis foliosa

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly shade

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained

    • Special Situation

      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green
      • blue

    • Flower Color

      • cream
      • pink
      • tan

    • Flower Season

      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    Landscape groups by tags

    See other plant types of Calamagrostis for your garden

    Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'

    aka Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerester', Karl Foerester Feather Reed Grass

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

    Zones

    4a-10b

    Size

    Height: 3'-5'

    Width: 1'-2'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' landscape by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    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 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
    View Plant

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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
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    More Options

    +6 more Calamagrostis
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