Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’

Selected as Perennial Plant of the Year for 2001. This grass performs well in a wide range of climates, remains attractive for months on end, and is not invasive in any way. Clumps are strongly upright, with dark green leaves. Soft feathery green plumes appear in summer, maturing into stiff wheat-coloured spikes, which last into winter. May be used in large groupings towards the back of a border, but also very effective when used more as a single specimen. Hardy enough to survive in containers or tubs in most regions. Clumps may be easily divided in spring. Trim to the ground in March. For a time this was also sold as under the cultivar name ‘Stricta', but trials at Longwood Gardens showed that ‘Stricta’ and ‘Karl Foerster’ are identical.