'Karl Foerster', a feather reed grass cultivar, is named for German nurseryman, Karl Foerster, one of the big names in the renaissance of ornamental grasses in the garden. Foerster introduced this grass, thought to be a natural hybrid of Calamagrostis epigejos and Calamagrostis arundinacea, to the nursery trade in 1950. Originally, he found it growing in the Hamburg Botanical Garden.

The name Calamagrostis x acutiflora (pronounced cal-ah-mah-gros'tiss ah-cute-i-floor' ah) is from the Greek for reed, kalamos, and agrostis, grass.

This grass is valued for its vertical lines, ability to grow in wet soils and few if any pest or disease problems. It is a slowly-spreading, clump-forming, cool season ornamental grass which features an upright, slightly arching, slender clump of narrow, stiff, rich green leaves growing to 3' tall and 2' wide. Leaves produce little fall color, eventually turning tan in winter. In June, tightly-vertical flower stalks rise well above the foliage to 6' tall bearing narrow plumes of feathery, purplish-green flowers which turn golden as the seeds mature in summer and eventually tan. Clumps generally provide good continuing winter interest. 2001 Perennial Plant of the Year award.

Karl Foerster grass grows out from the center, and after a few years, you may discover a hole-in-the-donut effect. When this happens, dig it up and divide it in spring. Replant vigorous divisions from the outer sections. Or leave a section in the ground and dig up and divide the rest of the plant..
 

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