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Lavender companion · grow guide
Feather Reed Grass · Calamagrostis × acutiflora
Plant in full sun in almost any soil, from clay to loam. This upright, cool-season grass greens up early, stands straight all winter, and needs only a spring cutback.
Check my zone & planting dates
Full sunLight
Moderate waterAverage drainage
pH 5.5–7.5Soil
Zones 4a–8bHardiness
60″ tall24″ wide
ResistantDeer · rabbits some resistance
Not known toxicPets
Huckleberry saysTell me where you grow and I’ll check if Karl Foerster will thrive there.
Hardy in zones 4a–8b
Spring is best; early fall also works.
Your year with Karl Foerster
When it arrives
Plugs arrive in active growth. Water the tray right away, set it in bright light out of harsh wind, and plant within a few days. If you wait, bump them into 3–4" pots. Harden off for a week before planting out, and keep the root ball moist the first 3–4 weeks.
Spring is best; early fall also works.
Set the crown level with the soil; don't bury the base of the stems.
18–24" apart for a hedge-like row; 24–30" for individual clumps.
Adaptable; clay to loam · pH 5.5–7.5
Fix-it tip: Very forgiving, even in heavy clay. Loosen the planting area; no special amending needed.
Full sun (tolerates light shade).
Best and most upright in full sun. In shade it blooms less and may lean.
Don’t give up on it
A cool-season grass: it's one of the first grasses to green up in early spring, often while nights are still frosty.
Cut back to 4–6" early.
Enjoy the plumes; water in drought.
Leave stems standing.
Enjoy winter structure.
First season: Water weekly the first summer until roots are established.
After that: Moderately drought tolerant; water in long dry spells. Tolerates moist soil better than many grasses.
Rarely needed; one light spring feeding in poor soil at most.
Leave stems up all winter. Cut to 4–6" in late winter or very early spring, before new growth gets long, since it starts early.
Every 3–5 years in spring if the center thins.
Very cold hardy. Stems stand through snow and add winter structure.
Blooms in early summer; in very hot, humid southern summers it can struggle with rust or leaf spot.
Cutting back nicked new growthLikely cause: Cut too late
What to do: Cut back in late winter, before blades get tall
Clump dead in centerLikely cause: Old, crowded clump
What to do: Divide in spring and replant the healthy edges
Orange spots on leavesLikely cause: Rust in humid weather
What to do: Improve air flow; remove affected leaves
Brown leaf tips and rolled blades mean too dry. Crown rot is rare but can happen in waterlogged soil.
Not listed by ASPCA; no known toxicity reported. Discourage pets from chewing any garden plant.
Deer: resistant · Rabbits: somewhat resistant
Finnegan saysStill not sure what’s wrong? Ask Plant Health — describe it or add a photo.
Good in pots · 3 gallon+
Good in large pots. Insulate or move pots to shelter in zone 5 and colder.
Outdoor plant
Not suited to indoor growing.
Best after a cold winter
Cool-season grass that performs best with normal winter cold.
Plugs from the tray
3–4 inch pots for 3–5 weeks, until roots hold the soil
Garden bed or a 3 gallon potTime to move up? Slide the plant out: if white roots wrap the outside of the soil, it’s ready for the next size.
Planting with lavender
Plant it near your lavender
Shares lavender's full sun but takes heavier, moister soil. Use it as a vertical backdrop behind or beside lavender beds.
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