Feather reed grass 'Karl Foerster' vs Korean feather reed grass
Same genus, opposite habits. 'Karl Foerster' wants sun, flowers in June and stands bolt upright. Korean feather reed grass takes part shade, flowers in late summer in soft, pinkish plumes that catch the low autumn light, and is one of the few grasses for a shady bed.
| Feather reed grass 'Karl Foerster' Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' | Korean feather reed grass Calamagrostis brachytricha | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 5 ft tall, 24 in wide | 4 ft tall, 2½ ft wide |
| Plant | 24 in apart | 24 in apart |
| Zones | 4 to 9 | 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun to part sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil | Evenly moist, average fertility | Evenly moist, average fertility |
| Flowers | Late June to early October; tan | Late August to mid October; pink |
| Leaves | Fine, herbaceous | Medium, herbaceous |
| Job in a bed | Accent | Specimen |
| Pets | No toxicity recorded | No toxicity recorded |
| Deer | No record | Resistant |
| Native | No | No |
| Spread | Low risk | Low risk |
Rows where they differ are marked. Flowering times are for zone 5.
Which to choose
- Choose feather reed grass 'Karl Foerster' for a longer show (16 weeks of flower against 8).
- Choose Korean feather reed grass for more shade and dry summers.
Can they grow together?
Yes: they grow in the same conditions. Beside feather reed grass 'Karl Foerster', Korean feather reed grass is in flower together for six weeks, from late August; happy in the same moist soil. They share full sun and part sun and zones 4 to 9.
Read more: all about feather reed grass 'Karl Foerster', and all about Korean feather reed grass, each with a bed the planner designed around it.