Feather reed grass | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Grass
Family (botanic) Poaceae
Tree or plant type Grass, Perennial
Native locale Non-native
Size range Large plant (more than 24 inches)
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances clay soil, Wet sites
Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter, early summer, midsummer, late summer, early fall, mid fall, late fall
Flower color and fragrance Other
Shape or form Narrow, Upright

Size and Form:

Feather reed grass is a fairly narrow, upright grass. It grows about 3 feet tall in foliage and up to 5 feet tall when in flower and fruit.

Native geographic location and habitat:

This plant is of hybrid origin.

Leaf description:

The long slender leaves are dark green in summer and turn tan to buff in winter.

Flower description:

The tiny flowers are numerous and held in upright, fluffy clusters. Flowers clusters open green with subtle undertones of silver and purple. Flowering time is late May into June.

Fruit description:

The small fruit (caryopsis or grains) form along the upright clusters that held the flowers. They start out golden yellow with a pinkish tinge and then mature to a tan or buff color for winter.

Plant care:

Feather reed grass is best growth in a sunny site with a moist soil. It is a clumping grass and does not produce viable seeds, making it fairly low-maintenance. It tolerates heavy clay soils. Although this is a cool season grass, it tends to act more like a warm season grass in northern climates and its most active growth occurs in summer. It will remain standing in winter and can act as winter interest. Since this grass remains attractive through winter, it should not be cut back until early spring, before new growth begins. At that time, it can be cut down to the ground.