Feather Reed Grass

Calamagrostis x acutiflora

flower

Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora) is a cool-season ornamental grass prized for its strictly vertical, columnar habit, reaching 3 to 5 ft in flower. It blooms earlier than most grasses, sending up narrow feathery plumes in early summer that shift from pinkish to a warm wheat-tan and stand stiffly into winter. The widely grown forms such as Karl Foerster are sterile hybrids that set no viable seed, so they will not self-sow or become invasive - a key reason it is one of the most recommended landscape grasses.

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Sun

full sun

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Water

Every 6 days

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Bloom

~90 days

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Difficulty

easy

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Lifecycle

perennial

Comes back every year

↔️

Spacing

18-36 in apart

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Planting Depth

Set at the same depth as the nursery pot

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Soil pH

5.5-7.0

Growing Details

Soil Type

Fertile, well-drained; tolerates clay

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4 – 9

When to Fertilize

Light feeding in spring

Fertilizer

Balanced; low needs

🌱 Growing Guide

Plant feather reed grass in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil, though it tolerates clay and a range of moisture from dry to wet. As a cool-season grass it does most of its growing in spring and fall and can struggle in the heat and humidity of the deep South, where a little afternoon shade helps it through summer. Water to establish; it is otherwise low-maintenance. Cut the clump to the ground in late winter or very early spring before new growth starts, since it greens up early. Divide every few years if the center thins.

🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care, and they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.

Planting Calendar

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Direct sow

Apr 15

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Projected first bloom

Jul 14

JJan

FFeb

MMar

AApr

MMay

JJun

JJul

AAug

SSep

OOct

NNov

DDec

✅ Plant alongside

Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests

Coneflower: A summer perennial whose blooms contrast with the vertical plumes
Sedum: Autumn sedums echo the fall season and share full sun and drainage
Catmint: A soft, billowing perennial that offsets the strict upright grass

🛡️ Pest & disease prevention

Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide

Rust
Orange pustules on blades after prolonged wet weather; thin for airflow and remove affected foliage
Leaf spot
Spots in wet conditions; avoid overhead watering and give plants room
Aphids
Occasional on new growth; rinse off and conserve natural enemies

🌸 Blooms & cutting

The early, narrow plumes are excellent fresh or dried, so cut them as they emerge for arrangements. Leave the rest standing for winter structure, then cut the whole clump to a few inches in late winter - do this early, because feather reed grass resumes growth sooner than most grasses.

🥗 Nutrition & benefits

Feather reed grass is an ornamental, not edible. Its value is bold vertical structure and early plumes in the border, sterile non-seeding behavior, and a long season of interest into winter. Have a different variety? Cultivars of the same species share the same basic care, so this guide still applies even if your exact form is not shown.

For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.