JENNY’S FAVOURITE GRASSES
Tall and feathery
Feather reed grasses
Calamagrostis x acutiflora, C brachytricha These have a distinct, upright form, and rich, glossy green foliage. The loose feathery flower plumes in late summer tend to have a light purplish-pink blush. The flowers age to tan as they dry and stay intact into winter.
Calamagrostis plants are clumpforming and vigorous, but they will not take over a border.
They prefer average to moist, well-drained soil in full sun. They will tolerate dry soil.
HOW TO USE IT
Calamagrostis is a wonderful vertical contrast among tall or short, mounded perennial plants. It works well with a range of flower and foliage colours. You can use it to divide or enclose an area, for example a deck or border, without giving it a ‘heavy’ look.
JENNY’S RECOMMENDATIONS
C x acutiflora Karl Foester Height: 120-180cm Upright, with vertical flower heads in late summer, best at the back of a border as only the top half is ornamental. It is sterile, so won’t self-seed and has to be grown by division.
C x acutiflora Overdam
Height: 75-90cm The variegated leaves create a grey-green effect, lovely with white or yellow-flowering companions.
C brachytricha
Height: 90-120cm, up to 150cm in flower Very drought-tolerant.