Flowers and Plants
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Leafy Reedgrass Softens California Gardens
Plant Calamagrostis foliosa, a California native, as an alternative to exotic fountain grass
Leafy reedgrass (Calamagrostis foliosa), with its showy flower spikes and blue-green leaves tinged with purple streaks, is a beautiful garden bunchgrass. Threatened by grazing in the wild, it’s also a rare grass that deserves a place in California native gardens, where it can be an alternative to invasive crimson fountaingrass (Pennisetum setaceum), also called fountain grass.
Leafy reedgrass surrounds the base of a crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia sp.).
Benefits and tolerances: Adaptable to many soils but prefers well-draining soil
Seasonal interest: Lovely seed stalks from spring through fall
When to plant: Late October to February in Mediterranean climate areas, like most of California, to utilize winter rains and cooler temperatures during the plant’s establishment period
Benefits and tolerances: Adaptable to many soils but prefers well-draining soil
Seasonal interest: Lovely seed stalks from spring through fall
When to plant: Late October to February in Mediterranean climate areas, like most of California, to utilize winter rains and cooler temperatures during the plant’s establishment period
Distinguishing traits. The leaves of this grass are blue-green in color, punctuated by purple streaks. In most California microclimates, it blooms from May to November. Young seed heads emerge with a silvery gleam, then reach an attractively warm tan color at maturity. The seed heads weigh down the tips of the flower spikes and create an appealing fountain-like appearance.
Leafy reedgrass grows in a planter with crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica).
How to use it. This grass looks wonderful when planted in a massing. Utilize native shrubs with contrasting foliage and color around it for optimal effect — for California gardeners, this could be toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) or California lilac (Ceanothus spp.) shrubs, with their evergreen leaves. Naturally found on rocky slopes, leafy reedgrass is excellent for slopes and banks.
How to use it. This grass looks wonderful when planted in a massing. Utilize native shrubs with contrasting foliage and color around it for optimal effect — for California gardeners, this could be toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.) or California lilac (Ceanothus spp.) shrubs, with their evergreen leaves. Naturally found on rocky slopes, leafy reedgrass is excellent for slopes and banks.
Leafy reedgrass is paired with ‘Appleblossom’ yarrow (Achillea millefolium ‘Appleblossom’).
Planting notes. Leafy reedgrass can be started from seed or a 1-gallon container plant. It can be difficult to find but is worth looking for. Check with your local native plant nursery for availability or look for seeds online.
Ripe seed heads will shatter at maturity and naturally fall away, so there’s no need to cut them unless it’s for a flower arrangement. Unlike most bunchgrasses, leafy reedgrass does not respond well to being mowed or sheared.
Planting notes. Leafy reedgrass can be started from seed or a 1-gallon container plant. It can be difficult to find but is worth looking for. Check with your local native plant nursery for availability or look for seeds online.
Ripe seed heads will shatter at maturity and naturally fall away, so there’s no need to cut them unless it’s for a flower arrangement. Unlike most bunchgrasses, leafy reedgrass does not respond well to being mowed or sheared.
You can remove matted layers of dead growth by running a hard rake through the tufts, an action not unlike combing hair.
After a few years, you can divide this grass and replace older, less vital specimens in the garden. Gardeners may notice that this grass will perk up with supplemental water in the summer.
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After a few years, you can divide this grass and replace older, less vital specimens in the garden. Gardeners may notice that this grass will perk up with supplemental water in the summer.
More
Try This Native Alternative to Mexican Feather Grass
See how to grow more grasses
Common names: Leafy reedgrass, Mendocino reed grass
Origin: Native to California’s North Coast and Outer North Coast Ranges
Where it will grow: May tolerate temperatures down to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 5 and higher; find your zone)
Typical plant communities: Coastal scrub of Northern California below 4,000 feet
Water requirement: Regular water during establishment (first year), then occasional water required in coastal areas, with more summer water required in hot inland sites
Light requirement: Partial sun in hot inland sites; full sun on the coast
Mature size: 2 feet tall and wide