1 named cultivar

‘Overdam’Variegated Feather Reed Grass

grass

Korean Feather Reed Grass

The Story

Plant Bio

Calamagrostis arundinacea, reed grass, is a clumping perennial grass from temperate Eurasia, forming an arching mound three to four feet high and two to three across. Narrow stiff green leaves rise from a dense multi-stemmed base, and slim upright flowering spikes open in late summer, drying to tan and standing through winter.

It is a true clump-former, unlike the running reed grasses it is often confused with, so it stays where it is planted. Growth is slow, which makes it a poor choice if you want quick cover but an excellent one for a small garden where a faster grass would need constant reduction. The dried heads hold shape through snow.

Uses & Benefits:

An arching green mound with slim upright seed stems that hold through winter.

Clump-forming and slow, so it never needs the containment a running grass does.

Songbirds take the seed, and the standing clump shelters insects over winter.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Grass

Height

48 inches

Width

24 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Temperate Eurasia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun or partial shade.
Give it moist soil; it tolerates occasional wet.
Allow three feet of width for a mature clump.
Water through dry spells in its first summers.
Leave the flowering stems standing for winter.
Cut back to a few inches in late winter.

Pro Tip

It is slow, so buy the biggest plant you can rather than expecting a small one to fill its space in a season.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it moist soil and sun 💧
Leave the seed stems for winter ❄️
Cut back in late winter ✂️
Divide congested clumps in spring 🔁

Don't

Expect fast cover ❌
Let it bake dry ❌
Cut it down in autumn ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Cut Back
Divide

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Clumping accent in a mixed borderRain garden and pond marginWinter structure in a small garden

Companion Plants

Rudbeckia Sedum AstilbeSiberian Iris Joe Pye Weed

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Korean Feather Reed Grass questions

What zones can Korean Feather Reed Grass grow in?

Korean Feather Reed Grass is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Korean Feather Reed Grass deer resistant?

Yes — Korean Feather Reed Grass is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Korean Feather Reed Grass bloom?

Korean Feather Reed Grass typically blooms in late summer through mid-fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Korean Feather Reed Grass need full sun?

Korean Feather Reed Grass does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Korean Feather Reed Grass drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Korean Feather Reed Grass handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.