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Versatile, attractive and care-free ornamental grass with wheat-like appearance. Slender, upright, deep-green, lustrous foliage becomes effective by early spring and lasts all the way until winter. A cool season grass, it is upright and clump forming, with purplish-green, feathery plumes to 6'. It distinctively blooms in early summer rather than fall and must have winter chill to bloom. In hotter climates, the heat of the summer will cause feather reed grass to enter what is called a summer dormancy. The plant is no longer producing foliage (leaves) at this time. It is merely resting through the heat and will resume new foliage growth in the fall when cooler temperatures are present. It is very important to keep the soil moist during the hot summer months. Irrigation is a necessity. Prefers a moist to wet fertile soil. Will tolerate a wide range of soils, including clay-based soils. Long lived...25 years or more. Full sun to light shade. Considered drought tolerant and deer resistant once established. Attracts birds to the garden. Leave foliage and flowers for winter effect, cut back in early spring near ground. Does not reseed. This is an excellent choice of grass for creating a hedge, backdrop or screen effect.
Annual maintenance consists of cutting the old growth down in early spring before new growth starts. Make the cut somewhere between 8 to 12 inches from the ground.
Prefers full sun, but can be grown in light shade. However, too much shade can cause it to flop somewhat.
Reed grass grows out from the center, and after a few years, you may discover a hole-in-the-donut effect. When this happens, dig the plant up and divide it. Preferred time for dividing is in spring.
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