• Potted Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ on a wooden surface with a blurred garden background
  • Tall Calamagrostis Karl Foerster with purple Verbena flowers in a natural setting
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Calamagrostis Karl Foerster

Calamagrostis Karl Foerster

Feather Reed Grass

$15.00
$15.00
Sale Sold out
Taxes included.
Pot Size/Grade

Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster', commonly known as Feather Reed Grass, is one of the world's most popular ornamental grasses. Valued for its strong upright habit and graceful feathery flower plumes, it provides structure, movement and texture from early summer right through winter.

Tall stems topped with soft pink-bronze flower spikes emerge in early summer before maturing to warm golden-buff seed heads that persist well into winter. Even after the foliage has faded, the upright stems continue to provide architectural interest, especially when touched by frost.

Whether planted individually or in drifts, Karl Foerster brings a contemporary elegance to borders, cottage gardens and modern landscape designs.

Why You'll Love Calamagrostis Karl Foerster

  • Strong upright architectural habit
  • Beautiful feathery flower plumes
  • Outstanding year-round structure
  • Excellent winter interest
  • Adds movement and texture to the garden
  • Highly frost hardy
  • Low-maintenance and easy to grow
  • Perfect for modern and cottage gardens

  • Expected 5 Year Height 0.9 M Width 0.9 M

Is Calamagrostis Karl Foerster suitable for my garden?

Calamagrostis Karl Foerster is best suited in a position that gets

  • Full sun

Calamagrostis Karl Foerster is

  • Wind Tolerant
  • Frost Tolerant
  • Drought resistant
  • Fast-growing
  • Cold hardy
  • Evergreen

Calamagrostis Karl Foerster will thrive in soil that is

  • Clay
  • Normal
  • Free draining
  • Stoney
  • Nutrient rich

How to establish your Calamagrostis Karl Foerster?

Position:
Plant in full sun to part shade. Best flowering and strongest upright growth happens in full sun.

Soil:
Prefers well-drained soil but is reasonably adaptable. Avoid permanently wet, soggy ground.

Watering:
Water regularly while establishing. Once settled in, it is relatively hardy and can cope with drier periods, though it will look its best with occasional deep watering in hot weather.

Feeding:
Generally low maintenance. A light feed in spring with a general garden fertiliser or compost is enough to encourage fresh growth.

Spacing:
Allow around 60–80cm between plants if mass planting, depending on how full you want the finished look.

How to maintain your Calamagrostis Karl Foerster once established?

Cut back old foliage and flower stems in late winter or early spring before the new growth comes through. Trim the whole clump down to around 10–15cm above ground level.

This keeps the plant fresh, tidy and full of new upright growth for the season ahead.

Remove any tired or damaged foliage during the year if needed, but otherwise this is a very low-fuss grass. Divide older clumps every few years if they become overcrowded or start looking tired in the centre.
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