Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster')

Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster') pairs soft green foliage with tall, feathery flowering stalks. The plumes emerge reddish-brown and turn golden yellow in fall, adding vertical texture to the garden.

Grow in full sun and rich, moist soil. This ornamental grass suits borders and grouped plantings where its tall stalks can stand above lower-growing plants.

Growing details

• Plant type: Ornamental grass
• Listed foliage height: 1–2 feet
• Listed height with flowering stalks: Up to 6 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
• Plumes: Reddish-brown, turning golden yellow in fall

Care and garden use

This low-maintenance grass prefers moist soil but can tolerate drier conditions. Choose a planting site that supports its preference for moisture.

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

Image credits: Daryl Mitchell from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster', CC BY-SA 2.0; photos by Patrick Standish: (2) Ornamental Grasses, (3) Perennial Border. Plants naturally vary in appearance and may differ from the images shown.