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    • Photo of Calamagrostis nutkaensis by Cactus Jungle

    Photo by Cactus Jungle

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

    Show all photos

    Calamagrostis nutkaensis

    Also Known As

    • Calamagrostis nootkatensis
    • Pacific Reed Grass

    Plant type

    perennial, grass / grass like

    size

    • H: 2'-5'
    • W: 3'-6'

    planting zones

    • 7a-11

    More Options

    Calamagrostis nutkaensis plant details

    Calamagrostis nutkaensis is a deciduous perennial grass (or grassy in appearance) with green foliage. In summer tan flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Grows well with sun - shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, gritty and rocky soil. A good option if you're seeking something for erosion control, seaside / salt tolerant, verticillium wilt resistant and wind tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Calamagrostis nutkaensis

    Plant type: perennial grass (or grassy in appearance)
    Plant family: poaceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 3 FT - 6 FT - wide, 2 FT - 5 FT - tall
    Flowers: tan blooms in summer
    Uses: easy-to-grow, rock garden

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Calamagrostis nutkaensis

    USDA Zones: 7a - 11
    Sun exposure: sun - shade
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, erosion, seaside / salt, verticillium wilt and wind
    Soil needs: average, clay, gritty and rocky

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Swaying 2 feet above the grassy blades, purplish new flower spikes mature to a golden wheat color. Good for meadows, erosion control and coastal settings

    By: Cactus Jungle

    This large perennial bunchgrass grows up to 5' tall with striking linear flowering stalks. A bold dramatic grass for a coastal grassland or rock garden. Very striking in a container. The glossy and gracefully curved leaves make this one of our most dramatic native grasses. Tolerates full sun along the coast, place in part to full shade inland. Flowers in June and July. From Monterey County north to Alaska Tolerant of many soil types, this large bunchgrass readily resows, making it a good stabilizer for creek banks. No historical uses found. Found in found in moist places and swamps and coastal forests. Communitites located in Closed-cone Pine Forest, Redwood Forest, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Freshwater Wetlands, wetland-riparian Between 0 and 3280 feet.

    By: The Watershed Nursery

    A cool-season grass hailing from the North Coast of California and from as far away as Alaska, this is a moisture-loving species that?grows 2-3' tall with showy flower spikes held 1-2' above the foliage. These flower spikes unfurl in April and May with a purplish cast and fade with age to an eye-catching flaxen color. Highly adaptable, Pacific reed grass shows tolerance for many conditions including heavy or rocky soils, salt spray, wind and even summer drought. We have used this species in shady areas under coast live oaks and Catalina ironwoods where it has thrived. Provide full sun along the coast or part shade inland. Plants may develop rust during wet summer weather, but will grow out of it the following season. Hardy to 5F. California.

    By: Native Sons

    Gardening facts about Calamagrostis nutkaensis plant

    How to Grow Calamagrostis nutkaensis

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - shade

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • clay
      • adaptable
      • average
      • rocky
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • seaside / salt tolerant
      • erosion control
      • wind tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • tan

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Flower Season

      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    • Texture

      • grassy

    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 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 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

    More Options

    +6 more Calamagrostis
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