Smithsonian Gardens

Common name: Feather reed grass, Foxtail grass, Reed grass

Family: Poaceae (Grass)

Distribution: Temperate Eurasia, New Guinea

Hardiness: -30 - 30 F

Life form: Ornamental grass

Plant size: 3-4' tall by 2-3' wide (.92-1.22 x .6-.92 meters)

Bloom Time: September to November

Bloom characteristics: Pink-green plumes are up to 4' (1.22 meters) long.

Environmental stress resistance: Resists air pollution, black walnut, salt spray

Foliage characteristics: Narrow, stiff green leaves are .25-.6" (.64-1.5 cm) across and up to 2' (60 cm) long.

Fruit characteristics: Plumes mature to light tan with seeds and disintergrate by winter.

Fall color: Yellow-beige

Description: This ornamental grass does well in heavy, clay soil, and prefers to be moist – quite different from many other grasses! This is a clumping, slow-spreading grass with nice flower plums and seed heads that do not persist through the winter.