About

Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Eldorado' is a clump-forming, deciduous perennial grass that typically reaches a height of around 1.2 meters. It features arching, glossy mid-green foliage that is striped and edged in yellow, though this variegation diminishes as the season advances. In mid to late summer, upright stems emerge, showcasing soft, plume-like flower clusters in shades of pale purple-brown, which can remain through 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

Exposed, 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

Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Prairie planting, Wildlife gardens

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 resumes

Propagation

Propagate by division in mid-spring

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free