Intermediate
skill rating
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Calamagrostis emodensis (Small reed grass)
2 hours care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Calamagrostis emodensis
Other names
Small reed grass, Garhwal reedgrass, Feather reed grass, Calamagrostis garhwalensis, Garhwal reed grass
Genus
Calamagrostis Calamagrostis
Species
C. emodensis - C. emodensis is a deciduous, perennial grass forming loose clumps of upright, reed-like stems bearing flat, linear, grey-green leaves and panicles of arching, purple-flushed, greenish-white flower spikelets from midsummer into autumn.
Calamagrostis emodensis is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Arching
Flower
Flushed purple, Greenish-white in Summer; Greenish-white, Flushed purple in Autumn
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids Aphids
General care
Pruning
Cut back in early spring before new growth resumes.
Propagation
Divide in spring.
Propagation methods
Division
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Where to grow
Calamagrostis emodensis (Small reed grass) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, City, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Low Maintenance, Rock
Cultivation
Best grown in moist but well-drained or well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from strong winds. Tolerates partial shade and moist conditions as long as soil is not waterlogged. Benefits from the application of a balanced liquid fertiliser in spring.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Calamagrostis emodensis
Other names
Small reed grass, Garhwal reedgrass, Feather reed grass, Calamagrostis garhwalensis, Garhwal reed grass
Genus
Calamagrostis Calamagrostis
Species
C. emodensis - C. emodensis is a deciduous, perennial grass forming loose clumps of upright, reed-like stems bearing flat, linear, grey-green leaves and panicles of arching, purple-flushed, greenish-white flower spikelets from midsummer into autumn.
Native to
China, Himalayas, India, Pakistan, Southern Europe
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Arching
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Colour
Flower
Flushed purple, Greenish-white in Summer; Greenish-white, Flushed purple in Autumn
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
General care
Pruning
Cut back in early spring before new growth resumes.
Propagation
Divide in spring.
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Calamagrostis emodensis (Small reed grass) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, City, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Low Maintenance, Rock
Cultivation
Best grown in moist but well-drained or well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from strong winds. Tolerates partial shade and moist conditions as long as soil is not waterlogged. Benefits from the application of a balanced liquid fertiliser in spring.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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