Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: dry or wet, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: fast growing
- Flowering period: early summer to autumn
- Hardiness: fully hardy
A stiff, erect habit is the defining feature of this grass, named after the famous German plantsman who introduced it to the public in the 1950s. Plant it en masse to form a feathery screen, or in small groups to add height and definition to a perennial border. It also looks good planted next to buildings. This is one of the earliest perennial grasses to get going, with shoots appearing in early spring, followed by flowers that are green first, then fade to buff. - Garden care: Very low maintenance, it simply needs to be cut down to the ground in February. Don’t be tempted to chop it earlier, as its wheat-coloured stems add drama and strong winter presence to the garden.
Goes well with
Verbena bonariensis
£14.97REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 6 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
83%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Attractive (4)
- Hardy (4)
- Healthy (4)
- Versatile (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Garden (5)
- Patio (3)
Reviewed by 6 customers
Displaying reviews 1-6
Pros
- Accurate Instructions
- Attractive
- Hardy
- Healthy
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Garden
- Patio
Comments about Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster':
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.
- Your Gardening Experience:
- Professional
Pros
- Accurate Instructions
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Garden
Comments about Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster':
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
- Your Gardening Experience:
- Professional
Pros
- Attractive
- Hardy
- Healthy
Cons
Best Uses
- Garden
- Gives Movement And Height
Comments about Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster':
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.
- Your Gardening Experience:
- Keen but clueless
Pros
- Attractive
- Healthy
Cons
Best Uses
- Patio
Comments about Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster':
In a pot on my patio and looks great, can't wait to see how it grows next year.
- Your Gardening Experience:
- Experienced
Pros
- Attractive
- Hardy
- Healthy
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Garden
- Outdoors
- Patio
Comments about Crocus Calamagrostisxacutiflora'Karl Foerster':
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.
- Your Gardening Experience:
- Experienced
Pros
- Hardy
Cons
- Unattractive
Best Uses
- Garden
Comments about Crocus Calamagrostisxacutiflora'Karl Foerster':
no feather reeds have appeared on this plant this year....why is this?
- Your Gardening Experience:
- Experienced
Displaying reviews 1-6
Do you want to ask a question about this?
If so, click on the button and fill in the box below. We will post the question on the website, together with your alias (bunnykins, digger1, plantdotty etc etc) and where you are from (Sunningdale/Glasgow etc). We'll also post the answer to your question!Q:
Hi, the 9cm pot is smaller than we were hoping to buy this in. Can you give me an idea of how quickly this would get to a metre in height please? Many thanks.Asked on 16/5/2017 by Matt from Hampshire1 answer
A:
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/Answered on 18/5/2017 by Helen from crocus
Q:
Hello. I would like to plant this to screen a wall . The area is sheltered and gets the east sun all morning and then south sun until about 2pm. I live in Edinburgh...
Thank youAsked on 13/8/2016 by Sea Glass from Edinburgh1 answer
A:
Hello,
It will be happiest in a sunnier spot, however provided it gets a reasonable amount of sun, it should be fine.Answered on 26/9/2016 by Helen from crocus
Q:
How many pots (small or big ones) would I need to build a screen along a 2m wall?Asked on 6/3/2016 by Ruby from Near Lincoln1 answer
A:
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.Answered on 7/3/2016 by Helen from crocus
Q:
Hi
Do you think these grasses would be suitable to screen an oil tank in a quite a windy area?
ThanksAsked on 11/8/2015 by JoBo from Berkshire1 answer
A:
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.Answered on 12/8/2015 by Helen from crocus
Q:
Hi there, 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. But the bed and garden is small, so the tall grass needs to retain a relatively narrow footprint and not to arch too much at the top. Do you have any suggestions? I love Karl foerster, but have been told it's base grows too wide. Thanks very much.Asked on 4/8/2015 by Johnny P. from London1 answer
A:
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/Answered on 6/8/2015 by Helen from crocus
Q:
Is this grass suitable for growing in a container? What maintenance would be required in terms of fertilising, repotting etc?Asked on 31/8/2014 by Dahliadarling from Leeds1 answer
A:
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.Answered on 1/9/2014 by helen from crocus
Q:
Please can you tell me how far part these should be planted?Asked on 6/4/2014 by Naughty Nicky1 answer
A:
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.Answered on 7/4/2014 by Anonymous from crocus
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Crocus response:Sorry to hear that you are diasppointed with this grass. It could be that the plant is still putting on root growth if it is newly planted, otherwise the most likely reason for the lack of feathery reeds would be lack of sun.