Calamagrostis arundinacea - Korean Feather Reed Grass

Mounds of narrow, green foliage create a stunning look in borders, containers or garden landscapes; tall stems emerge, producing feathery, light pink plumes in the late summer and into the fall; easy to grow and maintain

Height: Plant Height: 3 feet. Spread: 24 inches. Sun: full sun to partial shade. Hardiness zone: 4a.

Ornamental features

Korean Reed Grass features bold plumes of shell pink flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. The coppery-bronze seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from late summer to late fall. Its grassy leaves are green in color. The foliage often turns tan in fall. The gold stems can be quite attractive.

Landscape

Korean Reed Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cut back to the ground in late winter before active growth resumes. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Recommended for: Vertical Accent, Mass Planting, General Garden Use, Groundcover, Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens, Container Planting.

Planting and growing

Korean Reed Grass will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity extending to 4 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 24 inches. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder.