Alphabetical Plant Listing

Calamagrostis brachytricha (Reed Grass)

Reed Grass, Foxtail Grass, Feather Reed Grass, Korean Feather Reed Grass, calamagrostis arundinacea var. brachytricha


Sparkling in the morning dew with its large arrow-like flower heads pointing towards the sky, Reed Grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha) is a majestic and distinct ornamental grass, highly valued for its erect feathery silvery gray flower plumes, slightly red tinged, and turning to gold then light tan as the seeds ripen in the fall and winter. As noted by Neil Lucas, few plants have the ability to transform their appearance so magnificently as ornamental grasses when backlit. Reed Grass is one of them with its flowers glowing in the sunlight. A great favorite of many gardeners who are looking for decorative grasses.

  • Calamagrostis brachytricha are slowly-spreading perennial grasses which provide beautiful vertical lines up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) consisting of a 2 ft. (60 cm) mound of arching, glossy-green leaves, that turn yellow in fall. They are topped from late summer to winter with 4 feet high (120 cm) pinkish-purple fluffy plumes.
  • Use as a specimen plant, in large borders or massed. Excellent for moist spots near ponds or streams, superb as a backdrop and mixes well with colorful, blooming perennials. Looks good as cut flowers too! Excellent choice for woodland plantings as it tolerates shade pretty well.
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade, in average, medium to wet soils. Does well in heavy clay soils.
  • Won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society (2006) for its noteworthy qualities.
  • Deer and rabbit resistant
  • Requires little maintenance. Cut clumps to the ground in late winter just before new growth appears. This grass will not self-seed in the garden because seeds are sterile.

Not sure which Calamagrostis - Reed Grass to pick?
Compare All Calamagrostis - Reed Grass

Buy Calamagrostis brachytricha (Reed Grass)

Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 9
Heat Zones 5 – 9
Climate Zones 2B, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Calamagrostis - Reed Grass
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spread 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spacing 24" – 36" (60cm – 90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Buy Plants

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Calamagrostis - Reed Grass

Guides with Calamagrostis - Reed Grass


Botanik Foto, © Martin Ogden /www.teddingtongardener.com

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 9
Heat Zones 5 – 9
Climate Zones 2B, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Calamagrostis - Reed Grass
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spread 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spacing 24" – 36" (60cm – 90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Calamagrostis - Reed Grass

Guides with Calamagrostis - Reed Grass

Plant Calculator

How many Calamagrostis brachytricha (Reed Grass) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Calamagrostis brachytricha (Reed Grass)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.