• 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
1 2

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 also know as feather reed grass is a striking grass known for its long lasting reeds and low maintenance. In Spring, tall mauve stems will appear which come summer slowly age into biscuit wheat like reeds. Standing in a clump around 1.5m tall.  The foliage is semi-evergreen.  Looks great in a summer dry garden or gravel garden.

Named after the pioneering horticulturist Karl Foerster (1874-1970), Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' represents one of his most significant botanical contributions. This cultivar exemplifies Foerster's expertise in plant selection and breeding, emerging from decades of rigorous horticultural research. The grass bears his name as recognition of his transformative influence on ornamental plant cultivation and his role in establishing this variety as a cornerstone of contemporary landscape design.

Good For

Modern gardens, mass planting, borders, driveway edges, architectural planting, low-maintenance gardens, prairie-style planting, gravel gardens and softening hard landscaping.

  • 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.
View full details