Calamagrostis acutiflora

Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora, Poaceae) is a naturally occurring hybrid ornamental grass from Europe and Asia, arising from the cross of C. arundinacea and C. epigejos. It forms a narrow, upright clump with stiff, arching foliage and tall feathery flower plumes that emerge in early summer and persist through winter, providing year-round vertical structure.

Feather reed grass is adaptable to a range of soil types in full sun to part shade. It is clump-forming and non-invasive, rarely setting viable seed. The cultivar 'Karl Foerster' has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit and is the dominant selection in the trade, valued for its strongly upright habit and early bloom. No significant pest or disease issues are documented.