Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
Photo by Flickr user AaronGrabiak

Foerster’s feather reed grass

This plant grows well in the following regions:

  • SMSierra and Coastal Mountains
  • CVCentral Valley
  • DTDesert
  • NCNorth and Central Coast
  • SCSouth Coast
Map of regions (click to enlarge)
map of California regions

Description

'Karl Foerster' is a hybrid grass cultivar that is valued for its early bloom, vertical lines and ability to grow in wet soils. It is a slowly-spreading, clump-forming, cool season ornamental grass which features an erect, slightly arching, slender clump of narrow, stiff, rich green leaves growing to 3' tall and 2' wide.

Leaves produce little fall color, eventually turning tan in winter. In June, tightly-vertical flower stalks rise well above the foliage to 6' tall bearing narrow plumes of feathery, purplish-green flowers which turn golden as the seeds mature in summer and eventually tan. Clumps generally provide good continuing winter interest. 2001 Perennial Plant of the Year award.

Sun needs:

  • Full sun
  • Partial sun

Water needs:

  • Medium water
  • Low water
Water needs information from WUCOLS unless otherwise noted