Cortaderia Selloana - Pampas Grass
Cortaderia Selloana | Pampas Grass, incredible feathery flower plumes, up to 12 feet tall, invasive in warm weather states.
| Pampas Grass | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Bloom Time | Late Summer - Fall |
| Light | Partial Shade to Full Sun |
| Water | Well Drained Soil |
| Diseases | Leaf Spots |
| Pests | Relatively Pest Free |
| Propagation | Divisions, Seeds |
| Color | White, Pink, Tan |
| Zones | 5 - 11b |
| Features | Flowers, Winter Interest, Cut Flowers, Dried Flowers, Drought Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Easy to Grow |
White Pampas Grass: Fresh green foliage reaches 8 to 12 feet tall, topped by long, thick silky-white "featherdusters" that bloom in late-summer and last for months!
Pampas ornamental grass grows fairly fast, so is an ideal choice for filling in large, barren landscapes. It will also grow thick creating an effective privacy screen, wind break or sound barrier. Its long, graceful blades and delightfully fluffy pannicles (flower plumes) are beautiful.
Cautions about using Pampas Grass in warm climates: These plants are considered "invasive species" in certain areas of the country. Therefore do not plant the Pampas Grass in certain parts of California or in Hawaii.
When used in the cold weather states, the plants stays relatively in check and will not give you nearly as many invasion problems. Just keep your eyes out for seed sprouts.
There are two species of Pampas Grass, Cortaderia selloana and Cortaderia jubata. Cortaderia selloana (true Pampas grass) can be a problem along the central and southern California coast. Cortaderia jubata (Jubata grass or Andean Pampas grass) is highly invasive throughout coastal California.
When the Cortaderia Selloana is backlit by the sun, it is hard to find a plant in the garden that is as beautiful as the Pampas Grass.
These plants can get hugh, some varieties reaching 12 tall, with towering feathery flower plumes waving in the summer breeze.
Although it can tolerate a bit of shade, the Pampas Grass definitely needs almost full sun to do it's best.
Sow seeds in spring. Species can also be propagated by division in spring.
Division entails propagating a plant by splitting it into 2 or more parts. Each part has its own root system and more than one shoot or dormant bud.
Dwarf Pampas Grass: This dwarf version of the wildly popular Pampas Grass, with stunning white fluffy plumes, grows to heights of 6' and should be spaced 4'-6' apart in mass plantings.
Dwarf Pampas Grass grows best in hot, full sun and should be planted in soil with good drainage. As with most ornamental grasses, cut Dwarf Pampas Grass back in mid-spring. Zone 7-10..
Give this plant plenty of room to grow in your garden. Make sure you place it in an area where the plant can be contained to minimize its tendency to spread invasively.
The plumes are suitable for cutting and drying, and look great in arrangements.
Do not plant in wild or naturalized area since it is likely to completely take over.
Works well at the back of the border and makes a great, completely solid visual barrier.
Joe-pye weed:
A plant as large as pampas grass calls for a tall companion such as Joe-Pye weed. The tall purplish stalks and blooms of Joe-Pye weed team well with pampas grass.
Russian Sage:
The airy purplish flowers of Russian sage on wispy silver stems pair well with the white plumes and gray green foliage of pampas grass..
Goldenrod:
Goldenrod adds a splash of color to a sunny late summer border anchored by the silvery plumes of pampas grass.
Pink Pampas Grass: Fresh green foliage reaches 8 to 12 feet tall, topped by long, thick dusty-pink "featherdusters" bloom in late-summer and last for months!
Pampas ornamental grass can be a very attractive and functional plant when used correctly in the landscape. It can be used as a specimen plant in isolated locations on large lawns.
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Pink Pampas Grass: Unsurpassed for glorious texture and color in the landscape, this pink Pampas Grass is the star of any garden it graces! The sturdy, fresh-green bloomstalks reach anywhere from 8 to 12 feet tall, capped by enormous "featherdusters" of brilliant rosy-pink.
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White Pampas Grass: Superb for fresh or dried arrangements! Silky White Feathers of Late-Summer Color! Fresh green foliage reaches 6 to 12 feet tall, topped by long, thick "featherdusters" of bloom that last for weeks! Unsurpassed for glorious texture and color in the landscape, this classic white Pampas Grass is the star of any garden it graces!
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Dwarf Pampas Grass: Dwarf Pampas Grass grows best in hot, full sun and should be planted in soil with good drainage. As with most ornamental grasses, cut Dwarf Pampas Grass back in mid-spring. Zone 7-10.
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Golden Plume Pampas Grass: Huge rounded mound of broad arching leaves with golden bronze, arching plumes in summer. Proper name is Cortaderia Fulvida. Prefers a moist soil but will tolerate drier soils; sun or part shade. Hardy in zones 7 through 10.
Golden Plume Pampas Grass: Huge rounded mound of broad arching leaves with golden-bronze arching plumes in summer. Grows 7 feet tall.
The Golden Plume Pampas Grass has a finer foliage than the Pink and White Pampas Grasses, and is earlier flowering (July into August).
Prefers a moist soil but will tolerate drier soils.
Sun or part-shade. Hardy in zones 7-10
Spacing: Space 6' to 10' apart when planting.
Fertilizer: Fertilization is not generally required for good plant output.
Water/Soil Requirements: Plant prefers rich soil and is not fussy about the amount of water it receives. This plant qualifies as being drought tolerant.
Pruning: Cut dead foliage and stems annually, usually in late winter or early spring.
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