Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'

Common Name:
Feather Reed Grass 'Karl Foerster'

Description:
Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' is a graceful, upright ornamental grass admired for its vertical form, fine texture, and year-round structure in the garden. A hybrid between Calamagrostis arundinacea and C. epigejos, this award-winning cultivar is particularly popular for its tidy growth habit and low maintenance needs. In Melbourne’s climate, it begins its season with bright green foliage in early spring, followed by tall, feathery flower spikes that emerge purplish-bronze in late spring and mature to golden tan by summer. These vertical plumes persist well into winter, adding movement and architectural interest long after the growing season. 'Karl Foerster' performs best in full sun with well-drained soil and tolerates a range of conditions, including clay and coastal exposure. Ideal for borders, modern garden designs, or mass planting, it’s drought-tolerant once established and responds well to cutting back in late winter before new growth emerges.

Form:
Shrub - Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding

Mature Size:
Height: 1.5 – 1.8 m (with flower spikes)
Width: 60 – 80 cm

Aspect:
Full Sun
Part Shade

Flowering:
Flowers in Late Spring
Flowers in Summer

Flower Colour:
Purplish Bronze (maturing to Golden Tan)

Key Attributes:
Suitable for Pots
Perennial
Drought Tolerant
Low Maintenance
Winter Interest
Architectural Foliage
Fast Growing
Non-Invasive
Suitable for Mass Planting or Screening

Toxicity:
Non-toxic to humans and animals

Companion Plants:
Echinacea purpurea
Perovskia atriplicifolia
Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
Salvia nemorosa
Achillea millefolium

For more information and photos of this species, Warners Nursery has detailed information available to the public here