About
Calamagrostis emodensis is a deciduous perennial grass that develops into a gradually spreading clump, reaching heights of approximately 1.2 meters. Its leaves are blue-green and have a soft texture. During mid to late summer, the upright stems produce flower sprays that are plume-like, with a nodding or cascading habit and a pale purple-brown hue. These floral displays can last into the winter months.
About the genus
Calamagrostis consists of sturdy perennial grasses that spread through rhizomes, producing clumps of narrow leaves. During the summer, upright stems develop dense, branched flowering panicles.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Grass Like
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Prairie planting, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- Himalaya to China
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Tolerant of a range of conditions but best in moisture-retentive well-drained soil with full sun or part shade
- Pruning
- Cut back old stems to the ground in early spring before growth resu
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed or division in mid-spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free