cut back ornamental grass, feather reed grass, Karl Foerster. However, it probably won’t have time to produce seed heads before winter arrives. Striking pinkish-bronze flowering spikes in summer turn to brown in fall. Michelle Nati has written articles for the Farmer's Almanac, Family Minded.com, Ranker.com and holds a B.A. ‘Karl Foerster’ is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9, but south of Zone 7 it’s not at its best. 8. After all, which actions you take in spring will affect how healthy and attractive these plants are down the road. Pruned to 4" above the soil. tall, 2 ft.wide clumps; flower stalks to 6 ft. Division. As far as when, with maiden grass (porcupine grass) and Prairie Sky switch grass, they both green up quite late in Colorado. I’ve read that early spring is the best time to cut back. Striking pinkish-bronze flowering spikes in summer turn to brown in fall. Yes, you can go ahead and cut your Karl Foerster grass back in fall if you wish, either halfway or all the way. Note: The Feather Reed Grasses, particularly Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster,’ should be cut back by mid-February. My Feather Reed Grass Is Turning Yellow - I pruned it in March. Molinia Karl Foerster £ 9.99 One of the best known cultivars of tall purple moor grass with outstanding gently pendulous, initially green and purple, golden brown flower spikes turning a superb butter yellow colour in autumn. Pruned to 4" above the soil. Give cutting back to the ground a try for beautiful results next summer. They are also grouped as to whether they run or spread as they grow. Create a stunning vertical effect with feathery stalks that emerge reddish brown in spring and turn a rich golden color in fall. Before adding fertilizer, make sure to test the soil, as fertilizer that's too heavy in nitrogen can kill them. It forms a dense clump of green leaves, topped with tall, upright stems of nodding seed-heads, that are soft-purple to begin with, and then turn sandy-brown, lasting for … Narrow. Karl Foerster Reed Grass; Upright clump that greens earlier in the spring and blooms earlier in the summer than other grasses. The plant does suffer in the heat and humidity of an eastern zone 9 summer. Question is, can I cut them earlier in the fall, say November during our cleanup, and still expect them to rise to the occasion next spring? I cut all ornamental grasses back as close to ground level as is practical. One of the big landscaping trends for the last decade has been the use of easy care ornamental grasses. The medium green leaves of this plant are lanceolate in shape and may reach a length of 5 to 7 feet. 'Karl Foerster' grows well in most North American gardens. In terms of water, Karl Foerster grass will stunt if it’s too dry. Deciduous grasses, which turn a golden, straw brown rather than necessarily lose their leaves, need different treatment from those with are evergreen. This 3- to 4-foot tall plant was named Perennial Plant of the Year in 2001. So, maturity, water and sunlight can all be factors. 2001 Perennial Plant of the Year. Good luck, and let me know what you discover. Details 'Karl Foerster' is a clump-forming deciduous perennial grass with flat, arching leaves to 90cm in length, and bronze flowering panicles that fade to pale brown Characteristics Foliage Deciduous Fast growing, arching foliage to 18 to 24 in. I am looking on your site for a nice upright, oaty-turning grass to add height to a naturalistic planting bed, with the other grass being Stipa tenuissima. Very vertical in appearance. My Karl Forester has grown very tall this summer and is almost too tall for front of house! Bouteloua curtipendula Sideoats Grama. Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster ... A slow-spreading, clump-forming, perennial grass with arching, mid-green leaves. Additional information Botanical Name Should these blades be trimmed? A sturdy clumping grass with feathery flower spikes that emerge reddish-brown in spring turning golden brown in … SUMMER In mid-summer ‘Karl Foerster’ develops lacy stem tips. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. I hope you'll find lots of great information to help you create a more beautiful, functional, and sustainable landscape along Colorado's Front Range. Thrives in wet soils, yet tolerates drier conditions. 'Karl Foerster' feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster') 'Karl Foerster' is a trouble-free, 4- to 5-foot upright grass that is stunning when massed or singled out as a vertical statement. ‘Karl Foerster’ Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’) With a narrow, upright form and dramatic buff-colored seed heads, ‘Karl Foerster’ is an excellent choice to plant as a screen, along the side of the house or bordering property fences. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall. It came back up great. Karl Foerster (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'): A slightly more compact cultivar that blooms slightly earlier than the species. Also, sometimes Karl Foerster won’t flower if it doesn’t get enough water (which stunts it). I’d love to hear what happens, so please keep in touch. Also, we tend to get grass-crushing snows only occasionally. However, I agree that they don’t look as good with all that old growth mixed with the new growth. The blades of this ornamental grass are about the size of a pencil in width. They love to eat ornamental grasses, in my experience. Note: The Feather Reed Grasses, particularly Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster,’ should be cut back by mid-February. Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass is a fast-growing, spreading grass forming slightly arching clumps of narrow green foliage. Create stunning vertical effects with feathery flower spikes that emerge reddish-brown in spring and turn golden to buff in fall. LATE SUMMER-AUTUMN By late summer the stiff spikes turn into purplish- pink wheat like sheaves. Semi-evergreen perennial; sterile seeds. So glad to hear there was nothing wrong with the plants. Slender, upright, deep-green, lustrous foliage becomes effective by early spring and lasts all the way until winter. A cool season grass, 'Karl Foester' is upright and clump forming, with purplish-green, feathery plumes to 6'. ... Purple Maiden Grass / Flame Grass (purpurescens): 4'-6'H x 2'W. The second option is to cut it to the ground now. Yep, last year’s growth. They were young plants approximately 12-18 inches tall and during transport home in an open truck many of the grass blades were bent from wind. Pennisetum alopecuroides Zones 5-8 This stunning grass ranges from 2' to 3' tall and grows in the form of a mound. I’m not exactly sure why this became the standard practice in Colorado, but here are the results. Fountaingrass prefers full sun and a moist, well drained soil. No need to register, buy now! Blooms well in light shade, and actually appreciates some part afternoon shade in hot summer climates such as the St. Louis area, but generally tends to produce fewer flowers and develop floppier foliage as the amount of shade increases. Once you start to see new leaves growing, it’s fine to cut off the ugly ones. Full sun. A more compact variety (3 to 4 feet when in flower). Feather reed grass is a cool-season plant and will be one of the first ornamental grasses in your garden to shoot up come spring (it will also be one of the first to go to seed). You were right; it just took mine until their second season to flower. Versatile, attractive and care-free ornamental grass with wheat-like appearance. If you know what to look for, you can maintain healthy grasses for years to come. I like to do that in spring after I’ve cut it to ground level. Just followed your advice and cut my Karl Foerster grasses to the ground. It’s fine to cut back your seedheads and leaves in November. (oct. Michigan). In my experience, it can take them a season or two to flower, so it might be worth giving them another year. Size: Including flower spikes, plants are 4 to 5 feet tall. Can I cut the leaves to the ground at that time as well? To see if a lack of nutrients is the problem, you could either get the soil nutrient levels tested at a professional lab or try adding some fertilizer to a few struggling plants to see if it helps. Why? My Feather Reed Grass Is Turning Yellow - I pruned it in March. Shop Monrovia 1-Gallon Karl Foerster Calamagrostis in the Ornamental Grasses department at Lowe's.com. Calamagrostis acu. My question is, will they grow back again and bloom next year if I protect them from rabbits? Most of the time I see unusual plants with the wrong tags. Mexican Feather Grass. We recently purchased and planted a number of Karl Foerster grasses. This cool-season grass remains evergreen (actually, ever-bronze) in mild winters and works well as a screen, as a specimen, and as a container plant with other perennials or annuals. On the other had, if you’d really like a cleaner look, you can cut them to the ground. Most grasses do best with a weekly inch of rain or drip irrigation, which, when directly applied to the roots, lessens the chance of fungal diseases. Cutting back ornamental grasses too high above the ground detracts from their appearance for the entire year. Do this when their size is manageable, as they can become challenging to maintain the larger they get – grasses have robust root systems that will likely need to be split apart with a shovel, saw or ax. Use stalks as cut flowers. (do this early, Calamagrostis is a cool season grass and will green up quickly) flower plumes pinkish to start turning tan, great for dried arrangements blooms in June provides motion in the garden . Karl Foerster Feather Grass Info. Hi Vicky, glad you found the information and are giving the advice a try. Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'. Back in March I wrote a post about cutting back Karl Foerster feather reed grass. Replant one of the sections to replace the original grass. They will never green up ever again. Karl Foerster Feather Grass Info. Karl Foerster needs at least 6 hours of sun to bloom well. It came back up great. Is it ok to go ahead and cut it to the ground, even now? It will have to use it’s energy reserves to grow new leaves when it should be growing new roots. Hi Catherine, I bought 4 plants in early spring last year at our local home improvement store. In my experience the reason for the shorter plumes on Karl Foerster grasses could be one of the following: 1. too much shade, 2. not enough water, 3. the soil is compacted, or 4. not enough fertilizer. The dried spires of Karl Foerster feather reed grass add structured to this late-season garden. © 2020 Colorado Yard Care. Should I wait until February to cut the leaves down to the ground. How to Mow Lawns in Dry Weather Conditions, Missouri Botanical Garden: Ornamental Grasses, University of Missouri: Ornamental Grasses, Clemson University: Ornamental Grasses and Grass-like Plants, The Best Time of Year to Split and Transplant Ornamental Grass. I cut them back in the fall and they’re coming up now but no sign of the reeds again. Shenandoah Switch Grass; Native, upright grass that develops red tones in the summer turning burgundy in fall. Warm-Season Grasses Grasses that produce their flowers after mid-summer or early fall, depending on your particular climate, belong to the warm-season category. The plant stays golden beige through winter. Pennisetum alopecuroides Zones 5-8 This stunning grass ranges from 2' to 3' tall and grows in the form of a mound. Cutting down the plant will not help the widening problem; that’s just the way most ornamental grasses grow over time. Find the perfect karl foerster grass stock photo. When Karl Foerster feather reed grass is not cut back, the new growth becomes tangled with last year’s growth. That’s where the foreign spelling comes from. They are identifiable by one of six forms: tufted, mounded, upright, upright divergent, arching or upright-arching, with the lowest grasses tufted and the highest upright arching. the next morning the rabbits ate them down to the ground before I had a chance to put wire around them. At only 18 inches wide and up to 5 feet tall, a grouping creates a dramatic vertical element in gardens. Since then there have been further introductions with similar habits and the added benefit of variegated foliage. To make dividing the plant roots a little easier, hose the soil off, then separate them before replanting. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. If you use chicken wire, the little bunnies can get in and out. The new leaves simply grow up into the old, dead growth. Blooms two to three weeks earlier than common feather reed grass. (do this early, Calamagrostis is a cool season grass and will green up quickly) flower plumes pinkish to start turning tan, great for dried arrangements blooms in June provides motion in the garden . Cut back cool season grasses in very early spring. Cool-season grasses thrive in 60 to 75-degree temperatures in April, May, September and October, while warm-season grasses do better in 80 to 95-degree temperatures during the peak of summer and into early fall. Mice damage on grasses Once the grasses get to be about 18 inches tall, you can take the cage off and the rabbits won’t bother it much. The plant looks green, attractive and healthy. It is now turning yellow and dying. ‘Karl Foerster’ is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9, but south of Zone 7 it’s not at its best. Do you think they were tagged wrong? Perennial Fountain Grass. Planting Karl Foerster Grass In The Ground - Can I plant Karl Foerster grass in the ground, leaving the pot intact except for the bottom? The main difference being the pale yellow margins and stripes, that fade to pink-flushed white with age on the leaf blades. Foliage usually reaches no more than 3 feet tall, but flowers are held several feet above the foliage. Its foliage is dark green which turns to a golden brown in the fall. Do not let the roots dry out. You could then cut it back in spring, which will allow the grass to grow normally from then on. Sunny open spot. Hi, I'm Catherine Moravec. They were tagged Carl Forester grass but none of them produced any of the tall reeds! 'Karl Foerster' is a cool-season grass meaning it grows best at temperatures near 70oF, and the best time to plant is spring in the North; fall in the South and West. Keep foliage dry, avoid overhead watering and improve air circulation around plants to avoid rust. If you have a Karl Foerster grass that wasn’t cut down in spring, you have two options. It doesn’t need last year’s growth to hold it upright; it naturally has strong stems. Karl Foerster Grass, Calamagrostis x acutiflora, is a cool season ornamental grass that makes a great contrasting element with low growing flowering shrubs and perennial plants.The Karl Foerster ornamental grass can be uses as a specimen, for borders or as hedges or screens and makes a good backdrop for colorful shrubs such as roses. Have lots of rabbits. One idea to consider is to cut off the top 6 inches or so to make them stand up a little better, but I would try to leave most of the blades in place even if they are damaged. Giant reed and Northern sea oats also tend to resist browning. Hi Catherine. They are mature 5+ years old and have had the gardner and myself leave 6-8″ stalks as that is the original info I found for care on the web. Keep foliage dry, avoid overhead watering and improve air circulation around plants to avoid rust. Any other reason could be dying all of a sudden? Most places in Colorado we cut them back in February because they provide much-needed winter interest. Thanks for the info on cutting back Karl Foerster. Create a stunning vertical effect with feathery stalks that emerge reddish brown in spring and turn a rich golden color in fall. Seedheads are rosy pink panicles in summer. Feather Reedgrass. Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' has green leaves with reddish flowers. Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass is a hardy, easily grown grass that is one of the most popular of all the ornamental grasses. Karl Foerster Late Summer In Winter. He became well known for mixing informal plants (like ornamental grasses) into German landscapes. The reason is that the leaves are where photosynthesis occurs, which will allows the plant to produce enough food to grow a strong root system. Fountaingrass prefers full sun and a moist, well drained soil. Soil compaction is very common. Aphids are bigger and can be seen on a plant's stems or its leaves. It needs to be watered at least twice per week, usually. Big and little bluestem and ‘Karl Forester’ feather reedgrass also get rust. Blooms two to three weeks earlier than common feather reed grass. Hi Marie, yes, I think there is a good chance your grasses will regrow if you cage them for protection. Feathery stalks emerge reddish brown in spring and turn … Particularly hardy varieties include purple fountain grass and Karl Foerster feather reed grass. Product Details; Create a stunning vertical effect with feathery stalks that emerge reddish brown in spring and turn a rich golden color in fall. You can cut them down as early as you like with the knowledge that they won’t begin growing until late April or May. Will cutting it down to the ground help this problem? Blooms 2 to 3 weeks earlier than common feather reed grass. Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' Zones 4-9 They usually don’t kill the grass, but keep it mowed so short it can’t ever gain any height. Karl Foerster feather reed grass (Calmagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’) is an excellent specimen around ponds, water gardens, and other moisture laden sites. 2001 Perennial Plant of the Year. Question re: Karl Forrester grass. Perennial Fountain Grass. I doubt that it’s a different variety. Thanks for letting me know. It is hopelessly confused with C. acutiflora 'Stricta'. It is much sought after for its architectural … That’s why I recommend removing them as close to the ground as possible between February and March. It will still achieve its famous upright form and gorgeous blonde seed heads. Thrives in wet soils, yet … However, ornamental grass problems can sometimes be seen in a plant's coloring. Produces straw-colored seed-heads, but the seeds are sterile. Thank you for your help! tall, 2 ft.wide clumps; flower stalks to 6 ft. Division. Ah, the eye can rest. I just cut back our Karl Foerster yesterday, and I left 6-8″ because about 4-5″ of new growth is already there and I was concerned about cutting the tops of the new growth. Hope that helps! Blooms two to three weeks earlier than common feather reed grass. Thanks! I find that works the best in terms removing all the old growth. If you have sites with fewer than 6 hours of sun, I’d recommend Korean feather reed grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha), which can bloom in full shade if watered regularly. Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' Native to Europe and Asia. It is now turning yellow and dying. But look what’s very noticeable on each one of these grasses. It will just be a mound of leaves. Prefers rich, consistently moist soils that do not dry out. This choice will leave you with a few brown stems throughout the summer, but you can cut them to the ground next spring. Thank you for your help! Simply get a sharp shovel, dig up the remaining top growth and root system of the grass, and cut it into a couple of sections. Yes, rabbits could certainly be the culprit. There is a cultivar called ‘Overdam’ that is a bit shorter, but you would notice white stripes along the edges of the leaves. We have many apartment complexes in CO and have these Karl Forester grasses planted and we love them. Cool-season grasses put on most of their growth in spring before temperatures begin exceeding 75 degrees Fahrenheit and in the fall when temperatures cool down. I thought maybe it was because it was their first year but they grew beautifully. I what is the best way to approach narrowing the girth of my grasses? Semi-evergreen perennial; sterile seeds. Hi Catherine, I had to let you know that my Karl Foerster grass is growing and beautiful…complete with reeds! In late March / early April it starts to grow and quickly forms a strong base of leaves. Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun. 'Karl Foerster' Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' Cool Season Grass; Vertical habit; Excellent inflorescence; Pink turning to deep golden yellow then turning to light brown; Blooms in May; Clump forming; Average to moist conditions; Salt tolerant; Height: 5-6 ft Zone: 5-9 Please login to see pricing. I fertilized it ... Q. The other issue I’ve had is continued widening of the plant. Mexican Feather Grass. Tiny, tan seed heads appear in early fall on the top half of the stems. It won’t hurt it. Produces a purplish brown seed head, turning grayish pink in fall. Just noticed middle disappearing in a couple days time. If you want to be more conservative, it’s fine to leave them as they are. Despite how popular it is now, this effort was quite revolutionary for his era. It’s extremely common to see ornamental grasses cut about a foot above the ground in late winter. According to Clemson University, a plant's needs will vary depending on its species, the soil quality and the temperature in your area. Q. Karl Foerster Grass is clump forming and works well in mass plantings. Thanks for your help, Happy I found your website . Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' - Feather Reed Grass. While not usually fatal, rust can turn an entire plant tan or brown and weakens the plants. Overdam (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Overdam'): Variegated leaves with green and creamy white stripes. They will never green up ever again. Hi Mark, I’ve done that very same thing myself. Here’s what Karl Foerster grass looks like if it’s not cut back in spring. To test for compaction, water the soil. Can you provide advice on just when and how much to cut back Porcupine grass and also Prairie Sky Switch Grass? Create a stunning vertical effect with feathery stalks that emerge reddish brown in spring and turn a rich golden color in fall. 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