Karl Foerster Grass

Calamagrostis x acutiflora

An upright, narrow, cool-season feather reed grass forming a tidy vertical column; tan feathery plumes appear early summer and persist into winter.

Sun
full sun to part shade
Water
moderate
Mature size
4-5 ft (in bloom) × 2 ft
Bloom
Feathery upright plumes (pinkish then tan), early summer, persisting into winter.
Hardiness
USDA Zones 4–9

Care guide

Quick ID

Upright narrow cool-season feather reed grass (*Calamagrostis* x *acutiflora* 'Karl Foerster'). Tight vertical column; tan plumes from early summer into winter.

Sun & Site

Full sun to part shade; adaptable, tolerates clay. Very reliable and non-flopping.

Seasonal Care

Cut the clump to ~4-6 in in late winter before new growth begins — it's cool-season and starts early.

In my garden

SW25 plants
SunFull sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
5
Plants
2022+
Planted · ~4 yrs
What I've done here
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied
north of driveway9 plants
SunFull sun
Soilsandy loam, fast percolation
Water sourceCulinary
Hardiness hereZone 7
9
Plants
2022+
Planted · ~4 yrs
What I've done here
  • 2026-04-16Mulched
  • 2026-04-09Pre-emergent applied