Position

Sun exposure:
Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade
Aspect:
South facing, west facing

Soil

Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Feather reed grass, Calamagrostis x acutiflora, is an upright grass with good year-round interest, bearing feathery plumes in summer and bleached stems catching frost through winter. Its architectural shape lends it to use as a striking focal point in gardens. It can form clumps of stems up to 2m high if grown in moist soil.

Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' is prized for its stiff, erect habit, making it an ideal choice for planting en masse to form a screen, or in small groups to add height and definition to a border. 'Karl Foerster' is one of the earliest perennial grasses to emerge in spring. Its green summer flowers fade to buff.

Grow Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' in moist but well-drained soil, in groups in a mixed border, or en masse to form a large, dramatic screen. In early spring, cut it back to around 12cm to allow new growth to emerge.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Plantyesyesyesyesyes
Flowersyesyesyesyes
Divideyes
Pruneyesyes

Calamagrostis ‘Karl foerster’ and wildlife

Calamagrostis ‘Karl foerster’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Calamagrostis ‘Karl foerster’ poisonous?

Calamagrostis ‘Karl foerster’ has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Cats
Cats
Is not known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
Plants that go well with Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'
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