Switchgrass 'Northwind' vs Feather reed grass 'Karl Foerster'
Both are upright grasses for the middle and back of a bed. 'Karl Foerster' feather reed grass is a cool-season grass, a hybrid of European and Asian species: it grows early, flowers in June and stands as a straight column all season. Switchgrass is a North American warm-season grass: it wakes late, flowers in late summer in an airy haze, and colours in autumn.
 Switchgrass 'Northwind'Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' | Feather reed grass 'Karl Foerster' Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 5½ ft tall, 2½ ft wide | 5 ft tall, 24 in wide |
| Plant | 24 in apart | 24 in apart |
| Zones | 4 to 9 | 4 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun | Full sun to part sun |
| Soil | Well-drained, average fertility | Evenly moist, average fertility |
| Flowers | Early August to early October; tan | Late June to early October; tan |
| Leaves | Fine, herbaceous | Fine, herbaceous |
| Job in a bed | Accent | Accent |
| Pets | No toxicity recorded | No toxicity recorded |
| Deer | Resistant | No record |
| Native | Variety of a native | No |
| Spread | Low risk | Low risk |
Rows where they differ are marked. Flowering times are for zone 5.
Which to choose
- Choose switchgrass 'Northwind' for dry summers, a native garden and more wildlife.
- Choose feather reed grass 'Karl Foerster' for more shade, moist soil and a longer show (16 weeks of flower against 9).
Can they grow together?
Yes: they grow in the same conditions. Beside switchgrass 'Northwind', feather reed grass 'Karl Foerster' is in flower together for nine weeks, from early August. They share full sun and zones 4 to 9.
Read more: all about switchgrass 'Northwind', and all about feather reed grass 'Karl Foerster', each with a bed the planner designed around it.