Easy to grow and effortlessly attractive Calamagrostis is an ornamental clump forming deciduous perennial grass which produces narrow feathery plumes in summer which continue to provide interest through autumn. The flowerheads often hold well into winter, offering height and movement to the garden and landscape. A mainstay in the prairie planting style, teaming and contracting well with other tall late flowering perennials, such as Echinacea and Rudbeckia. Plant this hardy perennial grass in borders or gravel gardens, or enjoy their low-maintenance charm in large patio containers.

How to plant

— Calamagrostis bare roots are supplied in spring for planting between February and May. They must be planted soon after delivery and can't be stored for long. If you can't plant on the day of delivery, remove the roots from the packaging within 1-2 days and place in a dish of water outdoors to soak, then plant within a week.

— All bare root ornamental grasses should be potted up and grown on for some time prior to transferring into borders. It is not recommended to plant bare root grasses directly into borders as this can lead to failure.

— Soak the roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting. Pot into temporary 2 litre (or 15-20cm diameter) pots, using a good quality multi-purpose compost with added grit to aid drainage.

— Plant with the roots fully submerged in the compost. There will be some old dead foliage from the previous year which is cut at around 10cm. This should be left exposed above the soil surface. New shoots will emerge from the base of these dried stems.

— Grow them on in a sheltered position outside. They can be transplanted to borders after 2-4 months or once growth is established and the plants easily come out of the temporary pots with the soil held intact by the roots. When you see roots starting to emerge from the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot, it is an indicator that the plant is ready to be transplanted. Also, the plant should easily come out of the pot with the soil held together by the root system.

— When they’re ready to plant into the garden, choose a position with moist but well-drained soil. Dig over the area first to loosen the soil and remove any weeds. The area should be in full sun or very light shade. Calamagrostis tolerate most soil types, including loam, clay, chalk and sand. Dig over the area first to aerate the soil and remove any weeds.

— It is recommend to add multipurpose compost to the planting hole when planting, this will add nutrients to the immediate area and provide a soft medium for new roots to grow easily.

— Allow the soil in the pot to dry almost fully before removing the plant from the pot, this will help prevent the soil from falling away from the roots during transfer. Position your your plant into the hole and backfill with soil. Firm down after planting, ensuring the base of the stems remain level with the soil surface. Water thoroughly after planting.

— As with all young plants, mark and monitor your newly-planted Calamagrostis in the first year, check moisture levels regularly and remove any excess growth from neighbouring plants in the border to reduce competition.

— This perennial is fully hardy, tolerating temperatures down to around -15C. It doesn't require frost protection in most areas.

— Water-in after planting and keep hydrated when in growth, particularly during the first year. Once fully settled in, they are tolerant to quite dry conditions.

— Bare root grasses will have some dried foliage from the past year still intact. Calamagrostis supplied in late spring will have some pale shoots which have already emerged. Those shoots will either die back and new shoots will emerge from the root system, or they will soon start to green up after planting. Additional shoots will also emerge through summer.

Aftercare

— You should enjoy the upright stems of Calamagrostis for as long as possible before cutting them back. You can cut the stems and the foliage of the plant back to around 10-15cm above ground level anytime between autumn and early spring. This is to maintain good health and air movement throughout the clump and makes way for fresh growth which emerges again in spring.

— Calamagrostis forms a clump over time and the show gets better every year. Clumps that have become too large can be dug up and split with a sharp spade in early-mid spring. Each piece can then be planted separately.

— If cutting back the past year’s growth in spring, be careful to avoid cutting the tips off the new foliage as it is emerging.

Read further general instructions about planting bare-root ornamental grasses