This grass dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
Ornamental grasses are expensive. I was hoping to get a bigger plant but I guess I just have to be patient and wait. Excellent service - on time, expertly packed, came with full instructions. As always.
Baba Jaga
Brighton
Great used as a screen around my patio
Gardening grandma
Cheshire
I needed a barrier to block the views of my garage from a patio and raised koi pond area so I brought three. I did not want a plant that dropped leaves nor was I interested in bamboo which would be too tall. Karl Foerster was perfect. It grows quite dense, is high enough to disguise views of my garage when sitting on the patio and frames the raised koi pond brilliantly (the pond is a large rubber tub with very thick sides so I don't need to worry about the roots not that I have found it invasive). It forms a nice visual barrier, adds an interesting texture, makes a lovely reflection in the pond and makes a lovely rustling sound in the wind.
Soney
Surrey
was very put off by how small and unlike the photo these grasses were they are huge in the phoyo and i wanted to use them as a partial screen i was going to complain but i decided to plant them as i was unsure how to return them.I am glad i did they grew really fast and really tall and straight almost sculptural.I wish i had given them support in the high winds though as i had some breakage and had to cut them but i am hopeful they will grow tall again as a had many people comment on how beautiful they looked .
dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd
sheffield
Useful in borders as narrow, upright flowers that look good anywhere
Headgardener
Southern england
Easy to establish and flowered in their first year. Was coveting this plant for a while and was not disappointed. Mesmerising to watch the flowers sway in the breeze.
Barry
Bristol
A big upright grass,good at the back of a mixed herbaceous planting. It can look a bit untidy so best planted with some shelter from wind.Don't be tempted to be too tidy in the autumn as this grass comes into its own in autumn/early winter giving movement and structure when everything else is dying back
Country Girl
Warwickshire
I bought this for my late father's garden and happily it grew very quickly. It offers movement and height in that area of the garden and I hope the new people decide to keep it there. Given half a chance to bulk-up and spread out it will look even better.
Tilly
London
In a pot on my patio and looks great, can't wait to see how it grows next year.
Bakes
Hythe, Kent
Have had this grass in pots for a few years with no problems, provides great movement as it billows in the breeze. Mixed with Crocosmia it looks fantastic at this time of year.
TMB
Falkirk
90.9
KJ45
Yes definitely - now is a great time to plant them out.
Helen
Matt
Hello, These are pretty fast growers, but ultimately the growth rate is determined by external factors such as the availability of water, light and nutrients. If you want a more immediate impact, we do have a larger sized (2-litre) plant, which will be a year or so older than the 9cm one - please click on the following link to go to both. http://www.crocus.co.uk/search/_/search.Calamagrostis-%C3%97-acutiflora-Karl-Foerster/sort.0/
Helen
Sea Glass
Hello, It will be happiest in a sunnier spot, however provided it gets a reasonable amount of sun, it should be fine.
Helen
Ruby
Hello, It really depends on how impatient you are and what type of effect you are trying to create. These plants will eventually form a clump around 60cm across, however if you want a hedge-like effect, then I would recommend planting them at 30cm intervals as they will fill in faster.
Helen
JoBo
Hello, This can be a bit tricky, as while the more established plants tend to hold up better in a windier spot than the younger ones, I would not recommend growing them in a very exposed position.
Helen
Johnny P.
Hello, I would not rule out Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' as it does have a distinctly upright habit, and it it does get too big, it can be lifted and divided in mid-spring. As for alternatives, there are a couple of things that spring to mind - here are some of my favourites... Helictotrichon sempervirens http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/helictotrichon-sempervirens/classid.2905/ Miscanthus sinensis 'Kleine Silberspinne' http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/miscanthus-sinensis-kleine-silberspinne/classid.2023/ Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/panicum-virgatum-heavy-metal/classid.2000004386/ Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/panicum-virgatum-shenandoah/classid.2000007020/
Helen
Dahliadarling
Hello, This plant looks so great when planted in big blocks in the border, but it is possible to grow it in a pot filled with John Innes No.2 too. You will need a biggish pot - I would suggest something with a diameter of at least 45cm and a sturdy base, so it does not topple over. As for maintenance, it is pretty easy to care for, just make sure it is well watered in the growing season and cut it back hard when it starts to look really tatty. You can also give it the occasional feed with a good, general-purpose fertiliser such as MiracleGro from spring to midsummer.
helen
Naughty Nicky
Hello there These plants can grow to at least 60cm wide eventually. The planting distances between the plants depends really on the look you would like to create, and how patient you are waiting for them to grow But normally I would plant them 50-60cm apart.
Indulge a passion for ornamental grasses by creating a prairie- or meadow-style garden. They can be richly planted with native wildflowers or a selection of complementary perennials and self-seeding annuals to create a naturalistic planting effect.
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As the days shorten, the autumn sun sinks a little lower every day and begins to backlight the borders, picking up detail and silhouette. There’s plenty to enjoy and seed heads, in suitably autumnal shades of brown and silver take centre stage, often last
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With the garden devoid of summer froth and carpeted in autumn leaves, certain plants shine at this time of year, a well-placed grass shimmering against a winter sunset, or the reddish brown, silky feathers shimmering in low sunlight are winter treats.
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Late-season grasses come into their own from September adding another element or two - movement and texture to your garden. Most are tall and graceful and most move and sway with a gossamer presence. As autumn continues the texture of the awns, be it soft
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