Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
Out of season
Calamagrostis
'Karl Foerster'
feather reed grass
Look forward to the golden months of September and October, when the low sunshine flickers through the gently swaying, bronze-tinged feathery panicles of intensly calming Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'. These linear flowers are produced in summer, when newly emerged they’re particularly reed-like – narrow and more cream in colour, which also creates a great effect in a border planting scheme, gravel garden or large container. It’s later in the season that they start to adopt a more relaxed and fluffy appearance which is gentle, soft and extraordinarily beautiful. Often, Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' still look wonderful in winter too. Months of interest from one plant is absolutely something to treasure.
If you like creating indoor arrangement with flowers, dried or fresh, you’ll find it useful to have a good clump of Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' to hand. Bunch them together with fresh-cut summer or autumn flowers of any kind, or use them to make festive dried winter arrangements. Those parchment-coloured flowers in summer look great among dahlias, Verbena, Salvia and Perovskia in a border, this hardy ornamental grass also works exceptionally well in a prairie style planting scheme. Swaying gently in a light summer breeze, they will add movement, texture and structure to your garden. Position them so that their feathery inflorescences catch the early morning or late evening sun, for a real ‘wow’ factor. Of course, you’ll need to allow time for your bare root Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' to establish, but enjoying watching your plants develop is what gardening is all about!
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
- Flower colour
- Cream, bronze
- Established height
- 1-1.5m
- Established spread
- 50-90cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Half hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant size
- 1
- Plant spacing
- 4 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- No
- Position
-
Sheltered
Exposed - Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Borders
Coastal gardens
Cottage gardens
Gravel gardens
Large containers
Low maintenance gardens
Cut flower gardens
Wildlife gardens - Sunlight
- Full sun
- Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 2-3 years
Good for cutting
RHS Recommended
Perennial
Packed peat-free
Drought tolerant
Low maintenance
Attracts wildlife
-20%
Paeonia 'Lemon Chiffon'
Regular price
£52.00
Sale price
£65.00
-20%
Allium azureum
Regular price
£3.12
Sale price
£3.90
-20%
Allium 'Purple Sensation'
Regular price
£3.92
Sale price
£4.90
-20%
Fritillaria meleagris 'Mix'
Regular price
£4.96
Sale price
£6.20
-20%
Tulip 'Queen of Night'
Regular price
£5.52
Sale price
£6.90
-30%
Narcissus 'Double Mixed'
Regular price
£5.25
Sale price
£7.50
Expert care from
choice to delivery
Our horticulturalists prepare every bulb and plant with the utmost care. From selection to packing, each one receives expert attention before beginning its journey to your garden.
Better by nature
From cultivation to packaging and delivery, we are always looking for ways to lessen our environmental impact.
Growing together
Our care team of horticultural experts is on hand to support you choose and garden with confidence.
World of wonders
A collection of world-renowned flower bulbs and perennials of exceptional beauty and character.
Chosen to thrive
Every bulb and plant is sourced, selected and prepared with an expert eye for their quality and garden performance.
