© 2020 Chicago Botanic Garden. Rich green spring growth turning to dark green and then to bright yellow in the fall. Let’s take a look below, along with a few additional ornamental grass tips for fall and spring care. Cut clumps to the ground in late winter just before the new shoots appear. Type: Ornamental Grasses and Bamboo: Height: 24-36 in. Can reseed but not considered a problem as it is easily managed. Likes watering during dry periods and light afternoon shade. 6 reviews . Korean Reed Grass features bold plumes of coral-pink flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. Color. Good flowering accent in the fall. Rich green spring growth turning to dark green and then to bright yellow in the fall. Calamagrostis brachytricha is a clump-forming grass with bright green leaves reaching about 2 feet. Microscopic examinations, laboratory culturing, virus assays, and nematode assays are some of the techniques used in the clinic. Warm Season: These grasses are much slower starting in the spring. The Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook (ICLT) is written for professional applicators and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations as well as application timing information for all major pests of turf, woody ornamentals and herbaceous ornamentals. Perhaps best of all, this grass is shade tolerant, a rare trait for a large flowering grass. Calamagrostis brachytricha, a species of reed grass, is a slowly-spreading, clump-forming, warm season ornamental grass which features a mound of narrow, stiff, green leaves (1/4 to 5/8" wide) typically growing to 2' tall and as wide. Prefers moist, well-drained soil in part shade. Korean feather reed grass produces large (12”) plumes with a pink tinge in August and matures to a tan color. One of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Blooms two to three weeks earlier than common feather reed grass. Consider combinations with late summer and fall-blooming perennials blooming perennials such as Coreopsis, Echinacea, Liatris, and Rudbeckia. (60-90 cm) Conditions: Zone 8-10, Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade, Light Shade: 5 likes . Lovely, tall, ornamental grass that provides exquisite texture and motion to landscape gardens. Calamagrostis brachytricha, or Korean Feather Reed Grass, is an ornamental, warm season, grass with an upright, arching habit. Services include plant and insect identification, diagnosis of disease, insect, weed and chemical injury (chemical injury on field crops only), nematode assays, and help with nutrient related problems, as well as recommendations involving these diagnoses. This reed grass will perform exceptionally well around any water feature. Flowers in late summer with a light pink blush turning to buff. With feather reed grass, you don’t have to wait until late fall for its sensational plumes to appear. This is a clump forming warm season grass. If the climate in your location is severe, the best way to preserve ornamental grasses is mulching them. Cool Season Grasses: These grasses do the majority of their growing in early spring and start again when temperatures start to cool in the fall. Keep soil consistently moist; do not allow to dry out. 1000 Lake Cook RoadGlencoe, IL 60022DirectionsGarden MapSmartphone AppAdmission is free.Parking rates apply. This is a warm season, clump-forming grass that flowers late in the season compared to other Calamagrostis. Calamagrostis arundinacea. Care of Korean Feather Reed Grass. This grass is a low-maintenance perennial. 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. These plumes can … Most cool season grasses grow best in a consistently moist soil. That’s because it blooms early in the growing season, and keeps on blooming strong until fall. Flowers are fatter and fluffier than other feather reed grasses. Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips. Perennial Ornamental Grasses to Plant This Fall Ornamental grasses are the showoffs in the garden, perennially pleasing and easy to establish. Calamagrostis Species, Diamond Grass, Fall Blooming Reed Grass, Korean Feather Grass. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic. Korean feather reed grass or diamond grass. 24-36 Inches. Flowers in late summer with a light pink blush turning to buff. For starters, you can indeed cut back ornamental grasses in the fall once they have died … During the warmer summer months, they stop growing and some will even go dormant. On Jan 10, 2016, dduff from Fort Collins, CO (Zone 5b) wrote: Attractive grass that does fine f… It does not like to be dry. Thrives in most average soils, even heavy clay. The perfect perennial for urban gardens and container growing. Narrow, clump forming grass. It is a warm season grass with bright green leaves, and its pink and green flower heads are visible in late summer and early fall. In addition, you'll find detailed information about integrated pest management, pesticide safety, and pesticide application and calibration techniques. A graceful addition to the shade or part shade garden! Flowers are fatter and fluffier than other feather reed grasses. It is very fast-growing and can reach a height and width of 5 to 7 feet. Common Name: Korean Feather Reed Grass, Ornamental Grass. Name: Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil. Little Kitten’ Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Little Kitten’) It can grow in various types of soil, … Tolerates shady sites well, but also happy in a sunny border with regular moisture. This grass is also good for use in fresh or dried arrangements. (Calamagrostis brachytricha) Is an excellent addition to your garden for fall interest. It puts on a show after many other plants have quit for the season. Reed grass is a clump-forming upright ornamental grass native to the high plains of Eurasia and China. Feather Reed Grass Attractive clumping green grass with upright growth habit. Customer Service: (847) 835-6801Main: (847) 835-5440Member: (847) 835-8215E-newsletter UpdatesGarden BlogPress RoomCreditsPrivacy Policy. (PPAF) Striking variegated foliage in a hardy grass. Narrow, clump forming grass. Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) isn't a tall grass, topping out at about … Size: To … Purplish inflorescences appear in early summer and dry to a rich, wheat color. They flower later in the summer or fall with most blooms remaining into the winter. Cool season grasses flower in the spring or early summer. Know ... Feather Reed Grass Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’) is an early bloomer. Mixed. Its grassy leaves are green in color. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "C1391"). This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "ICLT"). Given all this attributes, it's easy to see why 'Karl Foerster' feather reed grass is one of the most popular ornamental grasses year after year, and why the Perennial Plant Association named it Perennial of the Year. Pinkish tinged flower plumes appear in late summer atop stems rising well above the foliage clump to 4' tall. A dynamic, cold-climate-friendly planting of red barberry, gray-green … Fall Blooming Reed Grass USDA Hardiness Zone 5-9. One of the few flowering grasses that is happy in the shade. They do not push new growth until temperatures warm in early to midsummer. Like many grasses, this tough plant tolerates a wide range of conditions. Grows 3 … This Asian native is the opposite of its European counterparts: it is a warm season grass that blooms from late summer through early fall. Narrow, clump forming grass. ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass combines well with other perennials, especially late summer and fall-blooming perennials such as Coreopsis, Echinacea, Liatris, and Rudbeckia. Rich green spring growth turning to dark green and then to bright yellow in the fall. Its roots are fibrous and most are near the surface of the soil, easily harvesting rainfall or irrigation water. Stalks make great cut … Rich green foliage features broad central stripes of creamy white. The foliage often turns tan in fall… The Long Blooming Season of Feather Reed Grass. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. It prefers moist, brackish soils and full to part sun, and in these conditions it can become aggressive. Snow work as a great mulch alternative, but if that’s not happened yet, go with mulch. Considered a variegated form of 'Karl Foerster' with the same upright habit. Flowers are fatter and fluffier than other feather reed grasses. Fall Blooming Reed Grass; How do I prepare ornamental grass for winter? It slowly spreads in clumps of half inch glossy, green leaves. Spread. It prefers moist, brackish soils and full to part sun, and in these conditions it can become aggressive. The Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide (C1391) provides is written for homeowners and other residents and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations for controlling pests associated with trees, shrubs, turf, flowers, groundcovers, vegetables, fruit, and houses. Feathery plumes bloom early summer and mature to attractive tan-colored seed heads in fall and winter. Benefits from some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Height. August-October. Create a stunning vertical effect with feathery stalks that emerge reddish brown in spring and turn a rich golden color in fall. Red Barberry and Conifers. But it gets even better. The feathery flowers fade to cream in fall and finish in a straw color in winter. Bloom Time. All rights reserved. Will also bloom well in shaded sites. Flower heads start out silvery-pink, fading to more of a creamy-white tone and remaining attractive for most of the winter. Reed grass is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including clay soil, salt, and partial shade and is thus a useful ornamental plant for a range of gardens. Can Ornamental Grasses Be Cut Back In The Fall – The Answer. This is a clump forming warm season grass. Flowers in late summer with a light pink blush turning to buff. Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook, U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This grass forms an upright and fairly narrow clump of feathery plumes, beginning in early fall. Reed grass is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including clay soil, salt, and partial shade and is thus a useful ornamental plant for a range of gardens. Bright yellow foliage in fall. 18-30 Inches. The plant is usually retained for winter interest and cut back in very early spring. Infamous Grasses with Fall Color: Chinese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) Chinese silver grass, … The coppery-bronze seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from late summer to late fall. Thrives in wet soils, yet tolerates drier conditions. The most popular ornamental grass, feather reed grass offers a distinct upright habit that looks fantastic all winter long. In late summer blooms emerge with a pink tint and reach 3 to 4 feet. Korean reed grass is very low maintenance, a … Pink Muhly Grass. Compost or shredded leaves can feed the soil allowing oxygen to penetrate. A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. The grass is hardy zones 3 to 9 and the blossoms change color through the season. This plant is suitable as a specimen or as a massed planting where its form and shimmering flower heads can create a beautiful vista. 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