Also known as Feather Reed Grass · 923 gardener saves
Calamagrostis: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Calamagrostis, the genus most gardeners know as feather reed grass. We track 10 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 10 most-saved Calamagrostis varieties
Of 10 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedKarl Foerster Feather Reed Grass
Calamagrostis x hybrida 'Karl Foerster'
#2 most savedKorean feather reed grass
Calamagrostis brachytricha
#3 most savedfeather reed grass
Calamagrostis acutiflora
Feather Reed Grass
Calamagrostis x hybrida
Variegated Feather Reed Grass
Calamagrostis arundinacea 'Overdam'
Eldorado Feather Reed Grass
Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Eldorado'
Calamagrostis Avalanche
Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Avalanche'
Feather Reed Grass
Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Stricta'
Lightning Strike Feather Reed Grass
Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Lightning Strike'
Blue Joint Grass
Calamagrostis canadensis
How to grow Calamagrostis
What the Calamagrostis varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 10 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Calamagrostis year
- DivideMarch, April and September100% of varieties
Divide large, congested clumps every 3-5 years to maintain vigor.
- PruneJanuary and February60% of varieties
Cut back foliage to a few inches above ground in late winter or early spring.
- PlantMarch, April, August and September40% of varieties
Plant containerized grass in spring or early fall.
- Spring CleanupJanuary and February40% of varieties
Cut back old foliage and spent plumes to 4-6 inches before new growth emerges.
Do
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years to maintain vigor
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Water during dry spells 🌱
- Divide in early spring to rejuvenate
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering which can cause root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Refrain from heavy fertilization late in the season
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
What goes wrong with Calamagrostis
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Rust | Orange pustules on leaves | Apply copper fungicide and remove affected foliage |
| Fungal rust | Orange pustules on leaves | Apply copper fungicide and improve air circulation |
Making more Calamagrostis
Division
- Dig up mature clump in early spring
- Separate into smaller sections with roots intact
- Plant immediately in prepared soil
- Water thoroughly and mulch
Seed
- Sow seeds in fall or cold stratify for 60 days.
- Press seeds lightly into the soil surface as they need light to germinate.
- Keep the soil consistently moist.
- Germination can be slow and sporadic.
Calamagrostis questions
How many types of Calamagrostis are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 10 distinct Calamagrostis varieties. The most popular — ranked by 923 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Calamagrostis grow in?
Across its varieties, Calamagrostis covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Calamagrostis bloom?
Most Calamagrostis varieties bloom in late summer, early summer, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Calamagrostis should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Calamagrostis
Calamagrostis shows up in
Related genera
Design with Calamagrostis in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
