Plant Passport Registration Number: GB147173
  
   
Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
Common Names: feather reed-grass 'Karl Foerster', Calamagrostis 'Stricta'.See also Calamagrostis 'Waldenbuch' which we have not yet trialled in the garden but seems suitable as a slightly shorter growing substitute.
'Karl Foerster' is a clump-forming upright deciduous perennial selection with flat  leaves and pinky bronze flowering panicles that fade to pale buiscuit.
Easy to grow in any well drained soils in full sun or partial shade. Cut down stems in the spring before new growth starts This is one of the most valuable of plants, giving us not only elegance of form but also movement (the stems sway in the wind) through most of the year as they do not quickly collapse as do many grasses.A joy summer and winter.If the height is not accommodatable try the subtly variegated variety 'Overdam',about a foot shorter.
Plant in a row to make a diaphanous screen/hedge.Cut to ground level in spring before new growth emerges.  
Foliage: deciduous
Height: 120 - 190 cm  in 2 to 5 years
Spread: 20 - 50 cm
 
Please read our notes before placing the order:
 
1. The pictures in this listing are examples of the available plant at maturity and do not indicate anything in regard to size of plant at the point of sale. You will receive an organically produced young plant grown in a 9cm pot for planting immediately or to grow on (pot removed, when possible, to reduce plastic waste)
2. Seasonal difference in plants: Please be aware if you are new to gardening, that the plants we supply are mostly herbaceous perennials and many go dormant in winter. You may receive what looks like an empty pot or piece of root. This will produce new growth in spring.
3. The date the Royal mail label is bought (tracking number added as sent against your orders) is the date your order is lined up for picking. It is likely to be put into the post a couple of days later.
 
Thank you.
Size of the plants
Plants are mostly grown in 9cm pots so sometimes there is a need to grow on for the first season to see a mature effect only in the second.
Some older supplied pots may be thick with stems but please note at the other extreme rather than not supply we sometimes send bare root divisions of the size we use for our own potting (continued since Covid stock shortage) usually these are pound or so cheaper than a grown pot. Tips for success are sent with all orders.
Slugs in Summer of 2024 (list deletions)
Most gardeners experienced severe damage from slugs and snails due to the extreme wet and a relatively mild winter. Some genera were not just damaged, but the extra stocks destroyed. We may reintroduce gradually some of the most valued, but others previously listed may remain absent for now.