How to Plant, Grow and Care for Reed Grass – Complete Guide

Reed grass, known for its tall, upright growth and feathery plumes, is popular as a garden ornamental grass.

This versatile grass is commonly found in natural and cultivated landscapes. Its slender leaves and striking seed heads add a touch of elegance.

Today, I’ll give you a quick guide on how to care for reed grass, ensuring that your ornamental grass thrives and enhances your garden’s beauty.

What is Reed Grass?

Scientific Name: Calamagrostis × acutiflora

Native Countries: Europe and Asia

Reed grass, including varieties like Karl Foerster feather reed grass, is commonly found in temperate regions of Europe and Asia. It’s often planted in gardens, landscapes, and even the Hamburg Botanical Garden, where it adds vertical interest and texture.

These ornamental grasses thrive in environments with full sun to partial shade and prefer well-drained soil.

I love the tall, slender shape and feathery plumes of feather reed grass, which contribute to its distinctive look and growth pattern.

Its growing season is very early spring, and it produces deep green foliage that sways gracefully when the slightest breeze sets. I noticed that the plant’s upright form allows it to mix well with other perennials and ornamental grasses in the garden.

Reed grass is a low-maintenance ornamental grass. It requires regular watering, especially during dry periods, and benefits from being cut back in late winter to encourage new growth.

Once established, this hardy perennial plant is also drought tolerant, providing year-round interest with its golden tan color in late fall and winter.

Types of Reed Grass

Below are different types of reed grass that I recommend for your garden:

• Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass was introduced by the German nurseryman Karl Foerster. It grows upright and tall, beginning growth in spring. This cool-season grass features deep green foliage and tall flower stalks that turn golden tan in late summer.

• Korean Feather Reed Grass forms dense clumps and starts growing in early spring. Korean reed grass has broad, arching leaves with fluffy, pinkish flower plumes that appear in late summer and provide winter interest.

• Common Feather Reed Grass spreads by rhizomes, creating dense strands of grass. Its foliage is deep green with tall, narrow flower spikes that emerge in early summer.

• Foerster Feather Reed Grass grows similarly to the Karl Foerster variety, with an upright and tall form. It features green foliage and feathery plumes that change to a golden tan in the later fall.
• Natural Hybrid Reed Grass grows in dense clumps and grows very early in spring. It has deep green foliage and feathery flower stalks that turn tan in late fall.

How to Care for Reed Grass

In this section, I’ll talk about some quick tips I follow to care for reed grass.

Light

Feather reed grass requires full sun to grow well. These ornamental grasses thrive best in areas with abundant sunlight, which helps them maintain their upright form and vibrant tan color, adding significant visual interest to any landscape in the right growing zone.

Specific variations, such as Karl Foerster feather reed grass, should be planted in the spring to ensure they are established in good lighting before the growing season.

I found that these cool-season grasses can withstand varying conditions, but regular watering is necessary with enough sun for blooms and fewer flowers. When planting in containers, ensure adequate space for their roots to develop and grow.

Soil and Fertilizer

Reed grass thrives in properly drained, rich soil with organic matter. I suggest using a balanced fertilizer during the spring season to help boost their growth.

Applying compost or a slow-release fertilizer will provide the necessary nutrients for these ornamental grasses, ensuring they bloom beautifully and maintain their vibrant appearance throughout the growing season.

Specific varieties, like Karl Foerster feather reed grass, can benefit from a light application of fertilizer in late spring to promote healthy blooms.

While they are hardy and adaptable to various conditions, it is still important to monitor the soil’s moisture levels, especially in different hardiness zones. Water plants as needed to maintain their bloom.

I recommend giving these ample space to avoid overcrowding and competition with other plants in a garden or landscape.

Watering

Reed grass thrives with consistent moisture, especially during their active season. As such, they generally require moderate watering.

I’d say watering them thoroughly once a week should be sufficient since it’s enough to ensure the soil stays moist but not waterlogged.

Specific varieties, like Karl Foerster feather reed grass, are more drought-tolerant once established but will benefit from extra watering during hot, dry periods to maintain their flowers.

In areas with different hardiness zones, it is crucial to adjust the watering frequency to match the local climate conditions.

These great garden plants should be monitored closely, especially during their initial planting phase, to ensure they receive adequate moisture for healthy growth and vibrant blooms.

Temperature and Humidity

Reed grass thrives in a range of temperatures but prefers cooler climates. Ideal temperatures for these plants are between 60°F and 75°F.

I noticed that they also perform well in moderate humidity, making them suitable for various garden settings and landscapes.

However, Karl Foerster feather reed grass is a particular variety known for its hardiness zone and can tolerate colder temperatures down to -20°F, making it suitable for hardiness zones 4 through 9.

It’s important to avoid excessively humid environments, as too much humidity can lead to fungal issues. These great garden plants should be monitored in both temperature and humidity to ensure they remain healthy and vibrant throughout the year.

Pruning

Pruning reed grass is essential for maintaining its health and appearance. The ideal time to prune is in late winter or early part of spring before new sprouting begins.

I recommend cutting back the grass to a few inches above the ground to remove old, dead foliage. This will encourage fresh, vibrant growth and help maintain the plant’s upright structure.

I noticed the Karl Foerster feather reed grass benefits from being pruned a few weeks earlier than other ornamental grasses to ensure it looks its best throughout its season.

In landscapes with multiple types of grasses, it is essential to identify and prune each plant according to its specific needs, ensuring that they all contribute to a cohesive and attractive garden design.

Propagation

The ideal method for propagating reed grass is by division. This process involves digging up the plant and separating the root clumps into smaller sections, each with a few shoots.

Plant these divisions in a new location, ensuring they are placed in an area with plenty of sunlight and moist soil. This method is effective and ensures the healthy spread of the grass in your landscape.

For variations like Karl Foerster reed grass, I like dividing these plants in late winter or the onset of spring to give the new shoots ample time to establish before summer.

While they can tolerate some shade, it’s best to plant them in areas with full sun to partial shade.

In landscapes with common wet soils, ensure the ground is properly prepared to prevent waterlogging, which can harm the new divisions.

Pests and Diseases

Below are the common pests and diseases I tend to encounter while cultivating reed grass:

• Aphids: These small insects can infest reed grass, sucking sap from the plant and weakening it. I usually find them on the undersides of leaves, and they can be controlled with insecticidal soap or by encouraging natural predators like ladybugs.

• Rust: This fungal disease appears as orange or brown spots on the leaves and can cause the foliage to wither. Ensure good air circulation around the plants and remove any infected leaves to prevent the spread of rust.
• Leaf Spot: Caused by various fungi, leaf spot manifests as dark, water-soaked lesions on the leaves. It can be managed by keeping the foliage dry and applying fungicides if necessary.
• Slugs and Snails: These pests can damage the leaves by chewing on them. I hand-pick them and use barriers or bait to help control them.

Uses of Reed Grass

Below, I’ll talk about different possible uses of reed grass in decorating your garden.

Screening

Using reed grass, such as Karl Foerster, is ideal for seasonal privacy or as a backdrop for other plants. These tall, graceful grasses provide an attractive screen that gently sways with the breeze, adding both beauty and function to your landscape.

Punctuating

Using reed grass in containers is a great way to add height and visual interest. These plants thrive in sunlit areas, and their tall, graceful form complements other flowers and perennials, creating an eye-catching display.

Weaving

Reed grass can be used to create textural drama in your garden or landscape. Its feathery plumes and graceful form add contrast and interest among other plants, especially when positioned to catch the sun.

 

Other Guides from Planet Natural:

How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Indian Grass – Full Guide

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Hakone Grass – Complete Guide