About
Cortaderia selloana is a perennial grass that forms dense clumps, reaching heights of 2.5 to 3 meters and widths of over 1.8 meters. It features evergreen leaves that arch gracefully, with serrated edges and a blue-green hue, extending to lengths of 2.5 meters or more. In late summer to early autumn, the plant produces upright stems topped with plume-like panicles that range from 45 to 90 centimeters in length. These panicles consist of shiny silver-white spikelets, approximately 15 millimeters long, which may exhibit hints of pink or purple.
About the genus
Cortaderia consists of sturdy evergreen grasses that develop sizable, compact clumps of narrow, rough-textured leaves. These grasses produce upright stems topped with dense flower panicles that range from silvery to pink hues, making them ideal for drying purposes.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, North-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Grass Like
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Gravel garden, Prairie planting, Architectural, Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- Temp. S America
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, deep, well-drained soil in full sun, and cover with a deep dry mulch to protect plants from frost in their first winter; choose planting positions carefully, because they need plenty of space, because of the sharp leaf edges, and because seedlings can be invasive; for more advice, see ornamental grasses cultivation
- Pruning
- Cut and comb out the last year's flower stems and dead leaves in late winter or early spring; wear gloves as protection from the sharp leaf edges
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, sown at 13-18°C in spring, or by division in late spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free