Cycling through dusty back roads, the snapping sounds of grasshoppers passing by in the wind, one can encounter fields of tall grass, swaying with the gentlest of breeze. Undulating fields colored in gold; beckoning one to meander and run their plumes through the hand. Literal images I envision when seeing ‘Karl Foerster’ feather reed grass, a debonair ornamental grass with a variety of uses in today’s landscape. ‘Karl Foerster’ is a perennial which can find a home in anyone’s garden and has a basic requirement which when met, affords it’s most outstanding performance!

With gentle, kelly green foliage, Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ is a clump forming, cool season grass. The genus Calamagrostis is a member of the diverse Poaceae family which includes everything from common turf fescues to consumption crops, like wheat and corn. As a cool season grass, the majority of it’s growth takes place in the spring where it quickly gets it’s act together to send up arrays of pinkish/purple-tinged plumes which fade to blonde, one of the most aesthetically pleasing traits.

In our landscape, we utilized the grasses to ring the outer aspect of our seat wall and also in our front yard. Pictured above is their spring growth from 3 year old plants. The foliage is robust and delicate, the exact opposite of Miscanthus (maiden grass) which can impose a paper-cut like slice to an ungloved hand. Our dogs seem to enjoy the grasses too, frequently munching on the strands and even utilizing them as a seat rest.

Earning not only the 2001 Perennial of the Year award but also the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden of Merit, ‘Karl Foerster’ tolerates a variety of locations and grows well in zones 5-11. It enjoys full to partial sun and is best placed in the garden where it can be easily visualized and appreciated. When the collection near our seat wall bloom, it is wonderful to be able to sit on the patio and enjoy the delicate seed heads which can be mesmerizing when lit by the setting sun.

Due to it’s aesthetic versatility and hardiness, ‘Karl Foerster’ is also frequently used in commercial landscapes, looking simply stunning when planted en-masse. Several years ago, I observed the grasses at the Nashville Airport which began my desire to eventually add them to our yard.

With such frequent use within the US, I also took to Instagram and discovered thousands who enjoy the grass by searching ever popular hashtags. Curious to know how the grass has performed and been utilized by others, I had the pleasure of connecting with several who shared with me their welcomed thoughts!

With such international appeal, ‘Karl Foerster’ is literally an ornamental grass which will work in any landscape. For either architectural interest, a rustic/cottage feel or even the addition of a beach vibe to the garden, excitement awaits in the spring as the grasses being their vertical ascents.

Yet to maximize their potential for bloom, the one basic requirement which must be met is…a regular soak! With our ‘Karl Foerster’ grasses, I have noticed over the 4 years we have grown them, bloom proliferation varies over the years and it is dependent on regular watering in the spring. The collection in the front of our house face due West and I turn on our soaker hose on a regular basis to entice as many blooms as possible.

Following their bloom, I back off on supplemental watering as spring turns to summer as they withstand the heat nicely thanks to those occasional summer thunderstorms. Once fall arrives and into winter, the grass foliage browns however the vertical plumes lend a wonderful texture to their space prior to trimming the grasses down to approximately 6 inches tall late in February, just as the new year’s growth begins to take shape.

Do you have ‘Karl Foerster’ in your garden or are considering it for your landscape? Feel free to comment below or drop me a line here!