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CALAMAGROSTIS: Yipes! Stripes! Beyond ‘Karl Foerster’

CALAMAGROSTIS: Yipes! Stripes! Beyond ‘Karl Foerster’

Posted by John Friel on Dec 9th 2021

It’s practically blasphemy to rank any ornamental grass higher than world-famous Calamagrostis xa. ‘Karl Foerster’. It was the first grass ever named Perennial Plant of the Year, and rightly so. With sturdy vertical foliage and feathery plumes, it’s a handsome workhorse that makes a designer look like a genius. Not surprisingly, it’s among our top sellers. You’ll never hear us dis it.But we WILL say there are other options in the very same species that bring that same legendary reliability – all
CALAMAGROSTIS: Yipes! Stripes! Beyond ‘Karl Foerster’

CALAMAGROSTIS: Yipes! Stripes! Beyond ‘Karl Foerster’

Posted by John Friel on Oct 20th 2021

Don’t get us wrong: We love Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’, the first grass named Perennial Plant of the Year. It’s every bit as versatile as the polymath whose name it proudly bears.‘Karl Foerster’ is one of those plants that makes a gardener or designer look like a genius. But the genus has a lighter side. To be more specific: Yipes! Stripes!Calamagrostis xacutiflora‘Overdam’The original variegated form, ‘Overdam’ looks much like ‘Karl Foerster’, but with creamy white vertical stripes
Ready for Prime Time: The Calamagrostis Variety Show!

Ready for Prime Time: The Calamagrostis Variety Show!

Posted by John Friel on May 7th 2021

Calamagrostis xacutiflora 'Karl Foerster' was the first ornamental grass to be named Perennial Plant of the year. It deserves the spotlight.Calamagrostis xacutiflora 'Karl Foerster'Whether it’s belting out a solo as a specimen, or harmonizing with the chorus in a mass, this “feather reed grass” makes a designer look like a genius. It’s at home on the big stage of a large landscape, or in more intimate settings.But our ensemble features other standouts. We grow seven taxa of this versatile genus.

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