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Jessie Keith
Poaceae
Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Avalanche'
Avalanche Feather Reed Grass, Feather Reed Grass
This variegated ornamental grass offers a desirable upright habit and has sterile blooms so need to worry about weediness. It is a cross between Calamagrostis arundinacea and C. epigejos.
Feather reed grass is a hardy clump-forming perennial with bright green narrow blades with a narrow white stripe down the center of each. In summer, upright panicles of silvery-purple flowers are held well above the plant, giving it an airy appearance. The flowers and foliage turn a golden wheat color in the fall and maintain their attractiveness through winter.
Like most grasses, this requires full sun and tolerates any soil so long as it is well-drained. Plants should be sheared to the ground in late winter. This is an outstanding grass for massing. It looks super when planted with other sun-loving ornamentals—particularly showy flowering perennials like coneflower, black-eyed Susan and sedums. Its grassy flowers also hold up well in fresh and dried arrangements.
9 - 5
5 - 9
2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Grass
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m
Summer, Late Summer
Hybrid Origin
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Average
Clay, Loam, Sand
Wet Site, Pollution, Drought, Salt, Soil Compaction
Fast
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Upright/Erect
Summer, Fall, Winter
Showy
Green, Purple
Tan
White, Green
Striped/Striated
Gold, Tan
No
Single
Yes
Fine
Glossy
Dried Flower / Everlasting, Cutflower, Foundation, Mixed Border, Wildflower
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