This distinctive newcomer is a variegated form of Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ first spotted by Steve Schmidt at American Ornamental Perennials. Showcasing dramatically striped foliage, the medium-sized clumps spring to life as a hefty white central band bordered by narrow green margins embellishes each blade. Topped with an airy aura of rose-tinged green plumes that later take on warm, golden hues, ‘Avalanche’s straight-up stance forges a compelling specimen, or when planted en masse, a boldly patterned screen. (PPAF)

Blooms May–January

Size: 5' 0" high x 3' 0" wide.

Zone 4/5.

Chanced upon at Garden Gate Growers in Kettle Falls, Washington, this flashy variegated form of ‘Karl Foerster’ wields slender deep green blades heightened by a central golden stripe. The long, narrow vertical plumes are somewhat more open compared to ‘Karl Foerster’s, exhibiting a gossamer-like quality that unfurls in muted mauve tones and ends the season with warm wheat shades atop staunch honey-colored stalks. Triumphant over deer, heavy clay and hot weather, ‘Eldorado’ enjoys sunny, moderately moist environs, while its robust eye-catching profile can be utilized as a straight-standing specimen or planted en masse. (pp#16,486)

Blooms May–December

Size: 5' 0" high x 2' 0" – 2-1/2' wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Named for pioneering German nurseryman Karl Foerster, this selection bears loose and airy 12 in. seed heads, which tighten to slender plumes by midsummer. Rising above 2 ft. clumps of narrow green foliage, the inflorescences create an ideal semitransparent veiling effect. Plant with deep green Viburnums to accentuate its golden flowering stems.

Blooms May–January

Size: 5' 0" high x 3' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

This exceptional new Asian denizen is a vigorous, upright clumping grass. Bleached to a luminous white when mature, sizable, fluffy dusky pink plumes sway above dapper, glossy green blades that are broader and somewhat more coarsely textured than Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’s foliage. With late summer blooms and shapely good looks throughout the season, Caspian’s undemanding habit provides butter-yellow fall foliage, craves adequate moisture and tolerates light shade plus a range of sites.

Blooms August–November

Size: 4' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Overdam is a choice new variegated selection of our favorite vertical accent plant, Calamagrostis. Its a bit smaller and more refinded than its parent, enabling Overdam to fit well in the intimate garden, or by a pool or patio. Golden inflorescences tower almost 3 ft. above tufted 15 in. clumps of foliage striped green and white with a blush of pink.

Blooms July–November

Size: 4' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Enlivened by rosy-maroon plumes, this warm season grass is native to the moist woodlands of eastern Asia. The inflorescences stay open and feathery, even when they dry, and eventually pale to an elegant silvery gray. Magical both in an arrangement or outside when the wind blows, the panicles leap from a glossy green clump of upright and curving blades. Calamagrostis brachytricha’s medium-sized stature can grace a container or a mixed border.

Blooms September

Size: 4' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

The minute white hairs lining arching medium green blades glisten with dew, while narrow, loosely feathered caramel-colored inflorescences loll above. Not as tall as Calamagrostis x ‘Karl Foerster’ and well-suited for gardens short on space, this relatively new soft-looking Calamagrostis develops an adaptable low maintenance clump that transmutes cozy pinkish amber hues in autumn. ‘Cheju-do’ can be featured as a stylish specimen, planted in drifts around large shrubs or small trees and is especially lovely skirting a Japanese Maple. 

Blooms August–October

Size: 2' 0" – 3' 0" high x 2' 0" – 3' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Garnished by violet tinges, low loose mounds of glaucous blue-gray blades generally remain evergreen throughout the year and set this California native apart from other North American Calamagrostis species. Slender, tapering pinkish purple panicles sojourn just above the relaxed foliage in a comely fountain-like fashion and by early summer adopt luminous flaxen hues. Cape Mendocino Reed Grass pouts when it’s hot, appreciates summer irrigation and looks artful either as a large-scale ground cover or peppered throughout mixed borders and naturalized meadows.

Blooms May–November

Size: 18" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 8.

This new amenable evergreen grass arose from a Calamagrostis foliosa and Calamagrostis nutkaensis ‘The King’ cross made by Josh Williams at Cal Flora Nursery. The winsome midsized medium green mound evokes its Calamagrostis nutkaensis heritage, yet presents a lower profile, while the mature lanky, thick honey-colored tassels are somewhat more arching than Calamagrostis foliosa’s. Defying deer and drought, easy-care ‘Little Nootka’ can be nudged into meadows, mixed borders, woodland margins and cut arrangements.

Blooms June–August

Size: 12" – 2' 0" high x 12" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 7.