Avalanche Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Avalanche')

Avalanche Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Avalanche') is a tufting ornamental grass with soft green, white-banded foliage and tall flowering stems. Its reddish-brown plumes mature to golden yellow in fall.

A variegated form of 'Karl Foerster', Avalanche brings contrasting foliage and vertical texture to sunny gardens. Grow in rich, moist soil.

Growing details

• Plant type: Ornamental grass
• Listed mature height: 3–5 feet
• Mature spread: 1–2 feet
• Spacing: Approximately 1 foot apart
• Hardiness: USDA zones 4–9
• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Rich and moist
• Foliage: Soft green with white banding
• Plumes: Reddish-brown, turning golden yellow in fall
• Habit: Tufting with tall flowering stems

Care and garden use

This low-maintenance grass prefers moist soil. Choose a site that meets its moisture needs rather than relying on drought tolerance.

Use in mass plantings, borders, naturalized areas, pond-edge plantings, or containers with adequate moisture. Rock-garden sites must also meet its moisture needs. Pair with shrub rose, Russian sage, or aster where growing conditions suit each plant.

Image credits: David J. Stang, Calamagrostis x acutiflora Avalanche 3zz, CC BY-SA 4.0; Andrey Zharkikh, 2012.08.06_17.55.35_CIMG0933a; F. D. Richards, Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Avalanche' WW46 Feather Reed Grass J1. Plants naturally vary in appearance and may differ from the images shown.