Overview
Calamagrostis x ac. 'Karl Foerster' is a plant with a bushy habit in the genus Calamagrostis, part of the Poaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Calamagrostis x ac. 'Karl Foerster' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, low maintenance and flower borders and beds.
About
Calamagrostis x ac. 'Karl Foerster' is a grass in the Poaceae family that forms upright clumps with deciduous foliage. It favours full sun and flowers from June to September. It tolerates a wide range of soils—chalk, clay, loam and sand—provided they are moist but well-drained, and suits south-, east- or west-facing sites. Rated H4 in the UK, it tolerates both exposed and sheltered positions and adapts to containers or borders.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Calamagrostis
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Calamagrostis x ac. 'Karl Foerster' size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Low Maintenance, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Calamagrostis x ac. 'Karl Foerster'
- Propagation
- Seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring, Division in spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Calamagrostis x ac. 'Karl Foerster'?
Calamagrostis x ac. 'Karl Foerster' prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Calamagrostis x ac. 'Karl Foerster' need?
Calamagrostis x ac. 'Karl Foerster' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Calamagrostis x ac. 'Karl Foerster' hardy in the UK?
Calamagrostis x ac. 'Karl Foerster' has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Calamagrostis x ac. 'Karl Foerster'?
Seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring, Division in spring.
