Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass

Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'

Nature Hills Nursery

Narrow Upright Form Adds Vertical Drama Without Spreading or Flopping Over
Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 4-5 ft Tall, 2-3 ft Wide
Showy Yellow Blooms From Early Summer to Early Fall
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant

$16⁹⁹

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Plant Size

Quart Container #1 Container #2 Container #3 Container

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This grass performs best in full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light daily to maintain its upright, architectural habit. While it can tolerate partial shade, too much shade often causes the stems to flop and reduces the number of feathery plumes.
Soil: It thrives in rich, moist, and well-drained soils but is famous for its ability to handle heavy clay better than most grasses. If your soil is sandy and drains too quickly, mix in some organic compost to help hold onto the moisture this plant craves.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water deep twice a week to ensure the roots establish themselves in their new home. Once mature, Karl Foerster is quite drought tolerant, but it will lose its vibrant green color and turn brown prematurely if left bone-dry for too long. For the best display of golden stalks in late summer, provide a consistent deep soak whenever the top two inches of soil feel dry.

Pruning Tips

This grass is a cool-season variety, meaning it starts growing early in the spring, so you must prune it before the new green shoots emerge. Think of it like a yearly haircut: in late winter or very early spring, cut the entire clump back to about 3 to 5 inches above the ground using sharp shears. Doing this early prevents you from accidentally snipping off the tips of the new season's growth, which would leave the blades looking blunt and ragged all year.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release 10-10-10 fertilizer once in early spring as the new growth begins to show. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer, as this can force the plant to produce tender green growth that won't be hardy enough to survive the coming winter frosts. A single application in spring is usually all this low-maintenance grass needs to reach its full height.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Attracts pollinators, Flowering, Deer-resistant, Fast-growing, Drought resistant, Evergreen, Fragrant
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	4-5 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Compact, Upright
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Summer, Fall
Flower Color	Yellow, Purple, Pink, Gold
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Grass
Botanical Name	Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'
Species	x acutiflora
Cultivar	Karl Foerster
Class	Poales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Stunning Accent Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass

Bold Handsome Look
Upright Growth Habit
Strikingly Formal Accent Grass
Great Cut Flower
Adaptable & Fast Growing
Cool Season Grass Variety
Drought Tolerant & Deer Resistant
2001 Perennial Plant of the Year

Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster') is one of the world's most popular garden grasses. This handsome grass works hard in your landscape and asks for little in return.

These tall, narrow plants draw the eye as exclamation points. They are ideal for adding vertical definition to your landscape.

In late summer, they'll grow bold, blonde flower spikes. You'll love the gleaming sunlight shining on the developing seed heads. Each one rises above the strongly upright blades that grow straight up from the ground.

Use one Karl Foerster as an accent grass in a prominent place. Or, use multiple plants to create a featured focal point.

Feather Reed Grasses are nicknamed "motion grass" because it sways in the slightest breeze. The heavy fall seed heads of Karl Foerster bend and sway, to and fro in the breeze and whip back and forth in heavier wind. Their kinetic energy brings a dynamic element to your landscape design. Add one to your Garden of the Senses!

Easy to grow, this ornamental grass is known for its rugged yellow plumes and glossy, deep green leaf blades. The overall shape of Karl Foerster is quite formal and very attractive. They'll remain tall and straight even after heavy rains or winds.

As the seed heads mature in fall, they transition from bright yellow to mellow hues of gold and tan. These seed heads also provide a welcome source of food and shelter for local bird populations over the winter, so leave them standing until early spring.

With no serious pest or disease problems, it's easy to see why Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass was named Perennial of the Year in 2001. With its perpetual motion, formal plumes and lively growth habit, Karl Foerster is sure to keep you entertained throughout the seasons.

Add this wonderful ornamental grass to your landscape. You'll be enthralled by its handsome good looks. Order yours today!

How to Use Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass in the Landscape

Because this grass is very controlled and low maintenance, it is quite often used in commercial landscapes where you most often find it planted in mass or in narrow spaces as a fill plant.

Karl Foerster is a great low-maintenance plant. This versatile selection looks great in the garden border, as an effective background for perennial beds, massed together in perfect military precision, or used in a long, natural drift.

Want an easy focal point? Line the perimeter of a geometric planting bed with a low, evergreen Boxwood hedge. Then, fill the center with Karl Foerster planted 2 feet on center. This spectacular nod to ancient garden design feels very fresh and modern.

We recommend using one plant or using lots and lots of them together.

Add dash and flair to an old evergreen tree. Boost the excitement of a sunny bend in your garden path by using a single plant as an accent.

And why not plant that single plant in a large ornamental container? You'll easily elevate the look and inject your personal style through your design choices.

Add another container and flank them on either side of your front door for a very sophisticated look.

Use multiple Karl Foerster plants to reflect the sunlight, catch the breeze and create excitement to highlight changes in elevation or to ease transitions. Use along the path between two destinations.

Create a high-impact look along a walkway with a staggered double row planted in a zig-zag pattern. Yes, you could just use one plant deep, but why not be big? Be bold with this selection!

A wider double hedgerow really creates a statement. Even if you have to shorten up the planting to stay on budget, you'll appreciate how several Karl Foerster plants work together to create excitement.

Add another row or two to create a mass planting to fill a wide, bare spot. Keep the plants spaced two feet apart (measuring from center to center) for best performance. Like a disciplined army, a precise row of Karl Foerster reads like individual soldiers working in an effective team.

Can you imagine the Memorials or special remembrance spaces you could create using this plant? Add a bench and a special weeping flowering tree for a place you'll visit time and time again to pay tribute to your loved ones.

Or, create a natural look by changing the geometric, massed zig-zagged planting design into a long, skinny drift planting design. Simply taper either end down to a single plant. In the middle of your drift planting, create depth by doubling or tripling up the plants. Keep things loose and natural with curving lines in a naturalized drift.

Study the celebrated gardens of Piet Oudouf, a world-famous garden designer who makes Karl Foerster sing in these types of fantastic, long drifts. Use these ideas for your home landscape and enjoy!

The blooms are also popular as cut flowers and really make a great complement to a mixed-cut flower arrangement. Dry the stalks for a long-lasting winter display.

#ProPlantTips for Care

This hardy grass adapts well to a variety of soils and conditions. Unlike many Ornamental Grasses that self-seed, Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass does not produce viable seed, so you don't have to worry about it becoming invasive.

For best results, give these cool-season grasses a spot in full sun or partial shade. In hot, dry climates, the Karl Foerster benefits from a location with morning sun and late shade.

But too much shade can decrease the number of blooms and make the foliage floppy. This grass is a sun-lover.

Karl Foerster likes to be planted in well-drained soil. However, it is adapted to a wide range of soil conditions from somewhat wet to dry.

Once established, this grass is drought tolerant and very popular in low water, water-wise and xeriscape gardens. Include a 3 to 4-inch layer of mulch to keep roots cool and cut down on surface evaporation.

We recommend leaving the foliage and seed heads up all winter. Enjoy the winter interest delivered by this beautiful, award-winning grass. Leave those plumes up all winter long!

When you see the first, bright green blades appear in early spring, choose a nice day for your annual pruning task. Grab gloves and see if you can rope in a friend to help make it fun.

Grab a tarp or a few yard bags and a sharp garden saw. Gather all of last year's growth together and hold it in one hand.

Make long, even strokes with the saw in your other hand to saw through the whole clump right at ground level. Bag or compost the old foliage.

Enjoy the surge of new spring growth. Ornamental grasses are fun to watch all year long, from their lush summer foliage to the high impact of the golden flower stalks and seed heads in autumn. Even the buff, dry old growth sculpts the winter snow and adds interest.

Do a little or do a lot in your yard—but do something! Karl Foerster is a workhorse that performs beautifully in modern, rustic or formal design styles. Lean on this plant, he's up to the task. Order today at NatureHills.com!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart to plant karl foerster grass?

Plant Karl Foerster grass 2-3 feet apart for individual specimens, or 18-24 inches apart for a massed planting. This spacing allows each plant to develop its distinctive upright, formal shape while preventing overcrowding. Space closer for screens, wider for accent use.

How big does karl foerster grass get?

Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass typically reaches 4-5 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide at maturity. This upright ornamental grass maintains its narrow, formal shape throughout the growing season. Plant it where you want strong vertical accent, as it won't spread aggressively like some grasses.

How to describe green grass?

Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass features glossy, deep green leaf blades that grow straight up in a strongly upright habit. The narrow foliage creates a formal, architectural look that remains tall and straight even after heavy rains. Plant as a single accent or group multiple plants for dramatic vertical definition in your landscape.

What USDA hardiness zones is Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass suitable for?

Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. This cool season grass tolerates both cold winters and hot summers across most of the continental United States. Plant it in spring or fall for best establishment.

What are the sunlight requirements for Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass?

Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. This adaptable perennial performs best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily but tolerates some afternoon shade. Shop at Nature Hills for healthy plants that establish quickly in sunny locations.

How often does Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass need to be watered, and is it drought tolerant?

Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass is drought tolerant once established and requires minimal watering. This hardy cool season grass adapts well to various moisture conditions and asks for little maintenance. Water regularly the first year, then reduce frequency as the deep root system develops.

When should I prune or cut back Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass?

Cut back Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass in early spring before new growth begins. The seed heads provide winter food for birds and add structure to your garden through the cold months. Trim the entire plant down to 4-6 inches above ground level in late February or March.

Is Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass deer resistant?

Yes, Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass is deer resistant. This hardy ornamental grass naturally deters deer browsing, making it an excellent choice for areas where deer pressure is common. Plant it as a stunning vertical accent without worrying about deer damage.

What are the shipping dates and guarantees for Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass?

Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass ships in spring and fall when conditions are optimal for transplanting. This hardy perennial comes with a standard plant guarantee covering establishment in your garden. Check your specific zone's shipping calendar and plant immediately upon arrival for best results.