{% assign use_variant_images = false %}
{% capture vertical_scroll %}{% endcapture %} {%- if use_variant_images and variant.images[0] -%} {%- assign images = variant.images -%} {%- else -%} {%- assign images = product.images -%} {%- endif -%}
{% assign last_slide = 0 %} {%- for image in images offset: imgOffset -%}
{% capture ImageResponsive %} {%- if image != blank -%} {%- if image.width > 180 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '180x' }} 180w {{ 180 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 360 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '360x' }} 360w {{ 360 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 540 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '540x' }} 540w {{ 540 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 720 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '720x' }} 720w {{ 720 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 900 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '900x' }} 900w {{ 900 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1080 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1080x' }} 1080w {{ 1080 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1296 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1296x' }} 1296w {{ 1296 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1512 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1512x' }} 1512w {{ 1512 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1728 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1728x' }} 1728w {{ 1728 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1944 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1944x' }} 1944w {{ 1944 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 2160 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '2160x' }} 2160w {{ 2160 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 2376 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '2376x' }} 2376w {{ 2376 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 2592 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '2592x' }} 2592w {{ 2592 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 2808 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '2808x' }} 2808w {{ 2808 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 3024 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '3024x' }} 3024w {{ 3024 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- assign image_size = image.width | append: 'x' -%} {{ image.src | img_url: image_size }} {{ image.width }}w {{ image.height }}h {%- endif -%} {% endcapture %}
{% if forloop.first or product.tags contains 'Graphic Overlay'%}
{% endif %}
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{% assign last_slide = forloop.index %} {% endfor %}
All media depicts mature plants.

'Karl Foerster' Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis)

PERENNIAL

Description

  • Compact grass with a striking impact!
  • Feather reed grass creates a fast privacy screen.
  • Easy to grow and thrives in nearly any soil.
  • Long-lasting blooms add a contrast in texture.
  • Zones 4-8, sun, 60" tall x 24" wide at maturity.
Zone 4-8
Light sun
medium

{% assign discount_amount = 0 %} {% if variant.price < variant.compare_at_price %} Sale {{- variant.price | minus: discount_amount | money | remove: ' ' -}}
{{- variant.compare_at_price | money | remove: ' ' -}} {% else %} {{- variant.price | money | remove: ' ' -}} {% endif %} Each
Total
{{ variant.price | times: variant.quantity | money | remove: ' ' }}
{% for option in product.options_with_values %} {% assign optionIndex = forloop.index0 %} {% assign position = forloop.index %}
{{option.name}}
{% assign sortedvalues = option.values %} {% if option.name contains 'Length' or option.name contains 'Width' or option.name contains 'Height' or option.name contains 'Depth' or option.name contains 'Thickness' or option.name contains 'Weight' %} {% assign sortedvalues = option.values | sort %} {% endif %} {% for value in sortedvalues %} {% assign inventory_quantity = 0 %} {% assign available = false %} {% assign optionVariant = false %} {% if product.options_with_values.size == 3 and optionIndex == 2%} {% for v in product.variants %} {% unless v.bogus %} {% if v.option1 == variant.option1 and v.option2 == variant.option2 and v.option3 == value %} {% assign optionVariant = v %} {% assign inventory_quantity = inventory_quantity | plus: v.inventory_quantity %} {% if v.available %}{% assign available = true %}{% endif %} {% endif %} {% endunless %} {% endfor %} {% elsif product.options_with_values.size == 2 and optionIndex == 1%} {% for v in product.variants %} {% unless v.bogus %} {% if v.option1 == variant.option1 and v.option2 == value %} {% assign optionVariant = v %} {% assign inventory_quantity = inventory_quantity | plus: v.inventory_quantity %} {% if v.available %}{% assign available = true %}{% endif %} {% endif %} {% endunless %} {% endfor %} {% else %} {% for v in product.variants %} {% unless v.bogus %} {% if v.option1 == value %} {% assign optionVariant = v %} {% assign inventory_quantity = inventory_quantity | plus: v.inventory_quantity %} {% if v.available %}{% assign available = true %}{% endif %} {% endif %} {% endunless %} {% endfor %} {% endif %} {% assign checked = "" %} {% if variant.options[optionIndex] == value%}{% assign checked = "checked" %}{% endif %} {% endfor %}
{% endfor %}
More Info on Plant Sizes

{% capture add_to_cart %}Neptune.cart.add({ id:{{ variant.id | json }}, quantity:{{ variant.quantity }}, properties:{ '_growingzone':['4a', '4b', '5a', '5b', '6a', '6b', '7a', '7b', '8a', '8b'] } }, '.atcprod-{{ variant.id }}', { quantity: {{ variant.quantity }}, image: '//www.greatgardenplants.com/cdn/shop/products/calamagrostis-karl-foerster-feather-reed-grass-2-sw.jpg?v=1643213532', title: 'Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis)', option: 'One Quart' }); return false;{% endcapture %} {% assign discontinued = '' %} {% for tag in product.tags %} {% if tag contains 'discontinued' %} {% assign discontinued = 'true' %} {% endif %} {% endfor %} {% if variant.available %} {% else %} {% unless discontinued == 'true' %} Notify Me When Available {% endunless %} {% endif %}
{% if error %}
{{error.description}}
{% endif %}
View Detailed Plant Information
↓

Plant Spacing

Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:

bush distance

Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:

bush distance zigzag
white plant in hand icon

Hand-picked at our greenhouse

white shipped to door icon

Shipped to your door

Young plant icon

Arrives as young plant

background image

More Information

Description Versatile and easy to grow, Karl Foerster feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora) is one of the showiest, longest blooming ornamental grasses for your garden. The feathery flowers bloom in early summer and remain colorful until the hard frost in fall. Flowers will last in floral arrangements for months. This low maintenance ornamental grass can quickly provide a sense of enclosure and privacy. This particular variety of feather reed grass is called the "metamorphic grass" or "perpetual motion grass." The slightest breeze sets this grass in motion. In his book Designing with Plants, Piet Outdolf refers to Karl Foerster grass as "most upright of the grasses, which bends in the wind, making it almost weatherproof... spire-shaped flowerheads add lift to the garden, severing its bonds with the earth." This grass was introduced to the nursery trade in 1950 by German nurseryman Karl Foerster via Hamburg Botanical Garden. It came to the United States by way of Denmark in 1964. Wolfgang Oehme and Kurt Bluemel were influential in introducing this popular grass to the US market.   Details Botanical name: Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
Common name: Feather reed grass
Zone: 4 - 8
Sun exposure: Sun (> 6 hours sun)
Height x width: 60" x 24"
Flower color: Tan
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Early summer
Bloom time: Midsummer, fall
Features: Winter interest, rain gardens, heat tolerant, dry soils, drought tolerant, deer resistant
Uses: Accent, background, border, container gardening, cottage gardening, foundation planting, hedge, massing, ornamental, privacy & screening
How To Grow Soil: Average to wet soils. It performs well in heavy clay soils, unlike many of the other ornamental grasses.
Light: Sun to part-sun. More sun exposure may increase blooms, but they do appreciate some shade in hot climates.
Water: Soils should be kept moist and not allowed to dry out.
Spacing: 2-3 ft.
Fertilizing: Most ornamental grasses need very little fertilizer. It is best to base any fertilizer applications on the results of a soil test.
Winterizing: No specific care is needed.
Maintenance & pruning: Cut clumps to the ground in late winter just before the new shoots appear. Clumps may be divided in spring every 4 to 5 years. If ornamental grasses are not divided, they eventually become thin or die out in the center.  

Did You Know?

10 Ornamental Grasses For Texture & Contrast In The Landscape

Ornamental grasses are invaluable additions to the landscape, but we don’t think they get enough credit. They rustle in the breeze, produce plumes of flowers, and add interest through the winter. What’s not to love? No matter the unique landscape goal, these ornamental grasses are approved by Great Garden Plants horticulturists to be a great addition to your garden.

Learn more
Ornamental Grasses in the garden surrounded by pink perennial flowers

Customer Reviews

Based on 38 reviews
79%
(30)
3%
(1)
11%
(4)
3%
(1)
5%
(2)
j
j.d. (Missouri)
Karl Foerster feather grasses

I’m really hoping that they make it. I planted them in my garden for the winter and plan to transplant early spring but they are almost all brown at this point.

We’re sorry you’re having trouble with your plants! Our team of horticulture experts would love to take a closer look! Our fall guarantee covers plants received after September 1 until May 2025, so we have you covered. Please send your order number and pictures of your plants to claims@greatgardenplants.com to start the claims process if necessary. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee

A
A.D. (Georgia)
Perfect transaction

Plants arrived quickly and in great condition. Excellent people to do business with; thanks

J
J.P. (California)
Small plants

They arrived in good condition but very small.

We’re sorry you’re not satisfied with your plants! On each product page and our plant sizes page, we note that all of our plants are young. The size of our plants varies depending on the time of year and whether they were recently trimmed. The most important thing when purchasing plants, online or in garden centers, is a full and robust root system, which we prioritize. Trimming only encourages stronger root development! All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee, so please reach out to claims@greatgardenplants.com to start the claims process if necessary.

M
M.M. (Pennsylvania)
'Karl Foerster' Feather Reed Grass

I'm delighted with the 2 dozen little KF Feather Reed Grass plants that I bought from Great Garden Plants. Several years ago, I planted 6 of these near boxwood in mixed beds in the front yard. I love their graceful movement and non-invasive behavior. I wanted more, but found only a few locally (and they were expensive.) I took a chance and ordered 24 little ones. I'm delighted. They are off to a good start. They'll grow to fill gaps in my mixed beds and look like a million bucks!

P
P.T. (Iowa)
Some died

4 of the plants died after planting. The others are doing fine.

We're sorry you're having trouble with your plants! Our friendly team of expert horticulturists would love to take a closer look at the plants. Please contact us at claims@greatgardenplants.com with your order number and photos of the plants so we may best assist you. All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee! We appreciate your feedback and look forward to helping. https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee

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