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Does pampas grass spread


How to grow pampas grass: follow our tips on when and where to plant this striking grass

Want to know how to grow pampas grass? You're in good company as it's one of the most on-trend plants around and the good news is that it is very easy to learn how to grow. 

Once dismissed as a Seventies relic, its presence in suburban front gardens was said to suggest that the owners were up for wife swapping! The plant’s popularity plunged for a couple of decades, only to make a comeback over the last couple of years. 

With a muted palette of silvery white, cream and milky coffee tones, and feather duster shaped flowers on long arching stems, this perennial grass fits perfectly with current Scandi/Boho trends. It has become so coveted that a single stem can fetch £25 in an upmarket florists’ shop. 

So why not save yourself some money and learn how to grow pampas grass in your own garden instead? It's an easy to grow, hardy plant, which is tolerant of heat, drought, exposed spots and coastal climates. It works well as part of a textured prairie border, on its own as a striking focal point, or it can be contained in pots to make a patio feature. 

Once pampas grass is established, the only issue is controlling its growth. Many are large, fast-growing plants which can self-seed. In some states of America, it is classed as an invasive species. However, armed with some knowledge and easy-care tips, pampas grass is a stylish and welcome addition to the garden.  

Keep reading for our expert tips, plus check our guide on how to grow ornamental grasses for more ways to introduce stunning grasses to your bed, borders and containers.  

HOW TO GROW PAMPAS GRASS

It's best to choose a spot with plenty of space for your pampas grass

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The easiest way to grow pampas grass is to buy it as a small plant which is ready to put in the ground. Although dwarf varieties are available, most will grow to at least 2 to 3 metres tall, so check the label carefully for the ultimate height and spread.  

Choose a spot with plenty of space around it. Avoid areas close to paths and where children play, as the leaves can be razor sharp. This grass prefers a sunny or partly sunny position with free draining (not soggy) soil. 

Plant it out before midsummer’s day (June 21), so strong roots can form before winter. It flowers around late August to early September, but the plumes look good for months. The female plants produce the softest, prettiest flowers in pale colours. The male ones have smaller, greyish pink flowers. 

Pampas grass can be grown in a container, although this will limit the size. Choose a large pot, and add some handfuls of horticultural grit to the compost for good drainage. You will need to pot the plant on as it grows larger. Find out how to do this in our guide on how to repot a plant. 

What type of pampas grass should I choose?

Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila' in the garden landscape

(Image credit: Alamy)

The most commonly grown species is Cortaderia selloana, which originates in South America, although other types come from New Zealand and New Guinea. There are 24 species, varying in colour and size. 

‘Pumila’ is deservedly popular, because it is relatively compact, and it has striking white plumes which appear in late summer and early autumn against mid-green foliage. This plant will grow up to about 2 metres tall. 

For an architectural plant which needs plenty of room to grow, try ‘Sunningdale Silver.’ It has tussocky grey-green leaves and arching stems with densely fluffy white heads. It will reach up to 3 metres tall, and 2.5 metres wide. 

If space is tight, opt for ‘Silver Feather.’ It is worth tracking down this small and compact plant with variegated green and cream foliage, arching stems and shimmery silver-white plumes which are excellent for drying. It will grow to about 1 metre tall.

HOW TO GROW PAMPAS GRASS FROM SEED

It's possible to grow pampas grass from seed

(Image credit: Flower Council of Holland)

Pampas grass can be grown from seed. Start them off indoors, sowing any time between February and April.

  1. Plant the seeds 6mm deep in a tray of seedling compost. Keep in a propagator or place them on a warm, sunny window ledge with cling film over the top of the tray. They should germinate in 21 days.
  2. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, pot on into some gritty compost. There's top tips in our guide on how to transplant seedlings. 
  3. The plants will soon become bushy and they are ready to plant out in the summer, once frost risks have passed. Plant them in rows 30cm apart in finely raked soil. 
  4. As they grow, thin the seedlings to 23cm apart. Replant the ones which have been removed.
  5. It will take a couple of years for new plants to flower. 

HOW TO PLANT PAMPAS GRASS

For a ready grown plant from a nursery or garden centre, dig a hole that is the same height and width as the root ball of the plant. Add some mulch or a multi-purpose fertiliser into the hole. 

Ease the plant from its pot, gently teasing out the roots with your fingertips. Put the plant in the hole and backfill with soil. Press down gently and water with a full can. 

There's more advice on the benefits of using mulch in your garden in our ultimate guide to mulching. 

HOW TO CARE FOR PAMPAS GRASS

Tidy up pampas grass in March or April by removing straggly stalks

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Pampas grass foliage lasts all year round, but it can look scruffy around March and April. This means it's a good time to tidy up the plant, using the best secateurs to remove any dry, damaged or dead leaves from the dense tussocks at the plant’s base. 

Wear sturdy gardening gloves (you can find the best gardening gloves in our guide) and arm protection for this job, as the leaves can cut. You can also remove tatty plumes around this time, although bear in mind that birds use them to line their nests.

Fertilise plants once in the early spring, but avoid overfeeding, because this boosts foliage growth, rather than the elegant flowers.

PROBLEMS WITH PAMPAS GRASS 

Pampas grass is low maintenance and therefore relatively easy to care for

(Image credit: Flower Council of Holland )

Resistant to most diseases and tolerant of even the driest growing conditions, pampas grass presents few problems, other than its tendency to self-seed and spread where it is not wanted. If the plant is becoming too large, it can be divided in early spring. 

In hot countries where wildfires are a risk, it is advised that this highly flammable plant should be grown away from houses and outbuildings to reduce fire hazard.  

HOW TO DRY PAMPAS GRASS

Dried pampas grass will make striking indoor arrangements

(Image credit: Cox & Cox)

  1. Cut the stems when the plant is in its first full bloom, usually in late August or September. Choose a dry day, and harvest after midday, when the dew has dried.
  2. Tie a bunch of three or four stems together with string. Make a loop for hanging.
  3. Choose a warm, dry space and hang the bunch upside down, making sure that the air can circulate around it.
  4. Leave for two to three weeks. 
  5. Once the plumes are dry, turn the grasses the right way up, fluff them out gently with your fingers and apply a squirt of hairspray before displaying in a rustic vase or a vintage glass carboy. Head over to our guide on how to dry flowers for more tips. 

Where to buy pampas grass

Whether you want to grow pampas grass from seeds or prefer the idea of planting out a small plant straight in the garden, there are plenty of striking options to choose from. Use our quicklinks below to buy now, or keep scrolling to check out some of our favourite varieties to try in your garden. 

Buy pampas grass in the UK: 

Buy pampas grass in the US: 

Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila' from Waitrose Garden
This variety has silvery-yellow flower plumes in late summer above bushy mounds of mid-green leaves. It's a hardy variety that likes fertile, well drained soil. It's compact (growing to 1.5 metres high) so also suitable for smaller gardens. Delivered in a two litre pot. 

Prairie Seeds - Pampas Feathers Mix from Suttons
Want to try growing pampas grass from seed? Then give this colourful mix a go. These seeds include a mixture of creamy white and pale pink plumed plants, perfect for the back of a border and screening ugly fencing. 

Cortaderia selloana 'Tiny Pampa' from Thompson & Morgan
A dwarf pampas grass, the shortest species of them all, which works at the front of a bed because it only reaches 60cm tall. August-flowering, it has fluffy, silvery plumes on top of grass-like evergreen foliage. 

Cortaderia Pink Pampas from Burpee
This has large silky plumes from early summer to mid-autumn. Colors will range from a subtle pink beige to sand-pink and even light salmon pink. It can work well as a dried flower and will make a striking arrangement in your arrangements. 

How to Grow Pampas Grass

By

Erica Puisis

Erica Puisis

Erica Puisis writes about home products for The Spruce and specializes in interior design and plant care. She's contributed to Forbes and smart home blogs like Smart Home Solver and TechDigg.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 03/29/22

Reviewed by

Barbara Gillette

Reviewed by Barbara Gillette

Barbara Gillette is a master gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist. She has 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals.

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board

Fact checked by

Emily Estep

Fact checked by Emily Estep

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

In This Article

Famous for its unmistakable feathery white plumes, pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) adds beautiful texture to outdoor spaces. Pampas grass is a large, ornamental grass, growing up to 10 feet high and wide. Planted in the spring, these large grasses are very fast growers and can quickly become invasive. Male and female flowers are produced on separate plants. Female pampas grass is most often seen because of its showier plumes.  

Botanical Name Cortaderia selloana
Common Name Pampas grass
Plant Type  Perennial 
Mature Size 5-10 ft. tall, 5-10 ft. wide 
Sun Exposure Full, partial 
Soil Type Loamy, moist but well-drained 
Soil pH Acidic, neutral 
Bloom Time Summer, fall 
Flower Color Pink, yellow, white 
Hardiness Zones 7-10, USA 
Native Area South America 

Pampas Grass Care

Pampas grass is simple to maintain once established and often only requires yearly pruning. This hardy grass is tolerant of wind, drought, and salt spray from coastal areas. It is also resistant to most diseases and pests. By pruning the plant to the ground in late winter or early spring, you will keep its surroundings clear and encourage new growth each season. 

This plant is highly flammable, so it is best to keep it away from structures, outdoor cooking areas, or open flames. Because of its rigorous self-seeding nature, it may be best to plant a sterile plant to reduce the risk of rampantly spreading pampas grass around your property.

Warning

Pampas grass grows quickly and readily self-seeds. This grass can quickly overtake other vegetation and is very hard to get rid of once planted. Before planting, be sure to find out whether this plant is listed as invasive in your area. It is listed as invasive in Australia, New Zealand, and throughout the west coast region of the United States.

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Light

Full sun is ideal for this grass, though it can grow in partial sun as well. Too much shade can lead to soil that is too damp, which can cause fungal problems.

Soil

Moist, well-draining soil that is rich in nutrients will keep pampas grass very happy. The soil’s ability to drain well is key for healthy pampas grass. Compost is a good soil amendment for area with pampas grass, since it enriches the soil and promotes drainage.

Water

Pampas grass is drought tolerant. Established grasses should receive plenty of water from natural rainfall unless there is an extreme drought. For new plants, water them deeply right after planting. You may wish to water intermittently for the first few months to ensure that your grass receives enough water. After this, natural rainfall will provide all the water this plant needs. 

Temperature and Humidity

Pampas grass thrives in hot climates. Native to South America, these grasses withstand both heat and high humidity. On the other hand, these hardy grasses can also withstand cold winters and even some snow. 

Fertilizer

Providing or withholding fertilizer will not make or break these fast-growing grasses. If you wish, add a well-balanced fertilizer after pruning in the late winter or early spring to encourage new growth.

Types of Pampas Grass

There are several varieties of pampas grass.

Pruning

Pruning should be done once a year to keep the area clean and to encourage new growth. In the late winter or early spring, prune these grasses right to the ground. Be sure to wear protective gear, as the blades of grass are very sharp. Gloves, eye protection, and long pants and sleeves are important. 

How and When to Cut Back Ornamental Grasses

Propagating Pampas Grass

Propagating pampas grass is easily done by division. Here is how:

  1. After pruning the plant to the ground, use a sharp shovel to divide through the plant and its root system.
  2. Slowly dig around the separated clump until you can remove the clump from the ground.
  3. Fill in the hole and transfer the divided plant to its own area. If planted near existing grasses, space six to eight feet apart to allow sufficient room for growth. 

How to Grow Pampas Grass From Seed

Pampas grass can easily be grown from seeds. Follow these steps:

  1. Cover seeds lightly with well-draining, rich soil.
  2. Cover the pots with plastic bags or plastic domes. 
  3. Place the pots in an area with bright, indirect light. 
  4. Germination should occur in about three weeks. 
  5. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, repot them into larger pots.  
  6. When they begin to take on a bushy appearance, plant them outdoors after all threat of frost is gone.  

Potting and Repotting Pampas Grass

Though it can grow to be quite large, pampas grass can be kept in containers, especially the dwarf varieties. Because of its large size, it’s best to choose a large container with plenty of room for growth. When the pampas grass fills the pot, either divide the clump or transition the plant to a larger pot. To do this, tip the grass onto its side and tap the outside of the pot until the roots come free.

Place in its new pot and fill it in with rich, well-draining soil. Whatever pot you choose, be sure there are drainage holes to prevent any standing water. 

Overwintering

These hardy plants do not require much attention to survive the winter. In fact, they do the best when left alone until it’s time to prune in late winter or early spring. Leaving the foliage will create a natural protective layer for the plant. Additionally, you may wish to add an extra layer of mulch to help insulate the plant. 

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Pampas Grass. University of Georgia Extension, 2017.

  2. Henn, Alan. The Plant Doctor - Watering and Plant Disease. Mississippi State University Extension, 2016.

Pampas grass (cortaderia) - planting and care. The best varieties

Among domestic gardeners, pampas grass (or cortaderia dioecious, Sello) - an interesting plant with an unusual name - is rapidly becoming fashionable. However, it is well known abroad and has been cultivated for more than one century.


Pampas grass was especially popular in Great Britain during the reign of Queen Victoria. Romantic, sophisticated Victorian gardens, suggesting a fusion of nature and man, were the best suited for planting this exotic plant. Since then, pampas grass has taken its rightful place in the landscape compositions of the estates of good old England.


Pampas grass came to Europe from South America, which is clear from the name. This plant was endemic (specific local species) of the pampas (pampas) - the steppe zone of the subtropics of the southeast of the South American continent with herbaceous cereal vegetation - until the German botanists Alexander von Humboldt and Friedrich Sello described and exported several specimens.

Since the narrow long leaves of the plant have a very sharp edge, cortaderia got its name from the Spanish word "cortar", which means "to cut". And one of the most common species, Cortaderia Sello, was named after Friedrich Sello.

Interestingly, in Brazil and other South American countries, Cortaderia has never been cultivated as an ornamental plant. Perhaps because it was already lacking in the wild. Some types of grass were used by South Americans for livestock feed, others as a basis for making paper. But, in general, in the homeland, the plant was considered and continues to be considered one of the most resistant weeds.

In areas with a favorable climate, pampas grass spreads at an alarming rate. Its seeds are dispersed by winds and germinate easily, occupying an increasing area in a short time and crowding out other species. The plant is capable of harming birds, which can injure themselves on the sharp edges of the leaves. In addition, in South America, dry pampas grass often causes fires. Due to these negative factors, in some places, for example, in California, New Zealand, Hawaii, the sale and cultivation of pampas grass is prohibited.


As with every dangerous weed, cortaderia is fought mercilessly in favorable places for growth - they are cut down, treated with pesticides, flower stalks are cut off before the seeds are laid.

[!] Cortaderia is not dangerous in the temperate and northern zones, because it does not spread at the same rate as in the homeland. In a harsh climate, pampas grass, as a rule, grows from the root, but there is practically no self-seeding.

According to the botanical classification, Cortaderia (lat. Cortaderia) is a genus of perennial herbaceous plants belonging to the Cereal family. And cortaderia is dioecious or Sello (lat. Cortaderia selloana), which, in fact, is called pampas grass - one of the species of the genus Cortaderia.

This large (up to 3 meters high) perennial is characterized by long narrow (typical for all cereals) leaves, which have a very sharp edge and tip. As they grow under their own weight, the leaves tend to the ground, curving in an arc. The average size of a single sheet is up to 2 meters in length, and a width of about a centimeter. The standard color of the leaves is cyan (bluish-green), however, there are varieties with silver or variegated (variegated) leaf color.

Small fluffy (female) and hairless (male) flowers are collected in dense paniculate inflorescences from 30 to 50 centimeters long in white, pink, cream and similar shades. During the peak of flowering (as a rule, the end of July - the beginning of November), panicles are extremely pubescent, which looks very decorative and spectacular.


The root system of pampas grass is very developed. The fact is that at home, in the pampas, the plant is forced to extract deep-lying water. To do this, he needs long branched roots.

In the wild, cortaderia grows in so-called curtains or tussocks (dense groups consisting of several specimens). Approximately the same should be planted pampas grass in culture. In addition, at home, Cortaderia is an evergreen genus, and in more northern latitudes, it loses leaves during frosts and grows again in the spring.

The best types and varieties of pampas grass

As mentioned above, only one type of cortaderia is used for horticultural cultivation - dioecious (Sello). Over time, this species has become the ancestor of many decorative varieties that look very impressive.

Among the best varieties of pampas grass are the following.

Creamy, yellowish and silvery pampas grass:

There are many varieties of Cortaderia with delicate, close to natural color of inflorescences - ocher, white, cream.

K. Sunningdale Silver, K. Splendid Star, K. Evita, K. Albolineata

Pink pampas grass:

The pink color of pampas grass is almost never found in nature. This shade is the result of a long selection of the plant.

K. "Pink Feather", K. "Highfield Pink", K. "Rendatleri", K. "Rosea"

Kortaderia in landscape design. Dried flower

Pampas grass looks unusually impressive in herbal compositions. Her high spreading panicles, similar to the feathers of luxurious exotic birds, moving after the gusts of wind, set in a romantic and calming mood.

Pampas grass is good both singly (more precisely, in a group of several single-species curtains), and in combination with other representatives of the kingdom of Flora. Since the height of the cortaderia is very significant, in the flower bed it is usually used as a tapeworm (composition center) for smaller plants. However, nothing prevents planting pampas grass next to shrubs or even trees. Its airy inflorescences and thin foliage will perfectly shade denser greens.


Professional gardeners advise planting pampas grass next to various species of yucca that are zoned to the middle lane. Leathery juicy leaves and a large inflorescence of yucca will be perfectly shaded by airy cortaderia. Another suitable companion is the perennial grass miscanthus. Since miscanthus is a bit like pampas grass (elongated leaves, creamy panicle inflorescences), such a composition will be good in nuances.

In warmer regions, where the pampas grass remains evergreen, the plant is often planted as a hedge, but in the temperate zone such a green enclosure will require too much care, so it is not practical to arrange it.

Pampas grass is excellent for making dried flowers in any climate. Drying, it almost does not lose color, does not fall apart and looks great both in vases and in wall panels.

Pampas grass - planting and care

Pampas grass has gained fame among European gardeners as an undemanding perennial.

It is believed that the plant quickly adapts to various conditions, whether it be humidity, soil type or lighting. At the same time, many domestic flower growers fail when growing pampas grass.

Indeed, cortaderia is a plant of the South American steppes, which means that it is not very well adapted to a temperate climate. However, knowing some of the subtleties of growing pampas grass and showing perseverance, it is quite possible to cultivate an overseas guest in our gardens.

Let's look at the main nuances of growing this exotic guest.

Propagation and planting

Cortaderia is generally propagated in three ways:

The most difficult and longest way to propagate pampas grass is the first one, by seeds.

Planting Pampas Grass Seeds

Cortaderia seeds cannot be harvested from the mother plant in our climate as they do not ripen, but they can be purchased from the store. But even here the gardener may have several problems.

First of all, the seeds do not germinate well. But even those specimens that have ascended require the most careful care before landing in open ground. If difficulties do not scare you, below is the technology for germinating and planting pampas grass seeds.


Seeds are sown in late February - early March. Before planting, you should prepare a container for planting, fill it with soil (garden soil, half mixed with sand) and moisten. Seeds must be mixed with a handful of soil, and then scattered over the surface of the container. From time to time, the earth is carefully, avoiding overflow, moistened from a fine spray gun.

In order for the seeds to sprout, the temperature in the room must be at least 23°C, and after germination (after 2-3 weeks), it is desirable to organize additional lighting for them. When the seedlings get stronger, they should be picked up and planted in separate containers. In the first year, pampas grass, as a rule, is not tolerated in the open ground, but only taken out into the fresh air on warm days. In the same pots, seedlings overwinter and only in the second year, at the end of May, seedlings can be carefully transferred to a permanent place of residence.

[!] Flowering of pampas grass obtained from seeds occurs 3-5 years after planting.

Cuttings and division of pampas grass

Cortaderia cuttings are less troublesome than planting with seeds, but there are some nuances here. First, the mother bush must be mature (well grown) and healthy. Secondly, the best time for pampas grass cuttings is mid-summer, before flowering begins. It is best to take a root cutting with a piece of root (heel) and plant it in a separate container. In the first year, it is advisable to leave it in the same container and let it winter in a relatively warm place. It is necessary to plant a grown cutting in the second year, after the establishment of warm weather.

Dividing is the easiest and least labor intensive propagation of pampas grass. As well as cuttings, it is necessary to divide the cortaderia in the middle of summer, before the appearance of peduncles. For division, an adult healthy plant is taken. It is carefully dug out, trying not to damage the roots, and then, without shaking off the ground, the rhizome is cut into two or three parts. The resulting delenki can be planted immediately in open ground - in a prepared (well-moistened) planting pit.

Location, soil, top dressing, watering, pruning

Since pampas grass is native to the south, it should be planted in well-lit areas. The more sun, the better. In the shade and partial shade, the cortaderia will wither away and certainly will not bloom luxuriantly and please the eye. In addition, the place for the landing of the cortaderia must be sheltered from the winds. Young plants with immature rhizomes are especially badly tolerated by sharp gusts of wind. Pampas grass should not be planted along the banks of water bodies or in areas where the groundwater level is too high. A plant native to the dry steppe will not be able to take root in wet soil.

The best option for planting pampas grass is a sunny clearing, surrounded and protected around the perimeter by higher representatives of the kingdom of Flora.

The soil most suitable for an exotic foreign guest should be, on the one hand, nutritious, and on the other hand, light, water and breathable. The worst option is heavy loam, the best is humus mixed with sand in a ratio of 1:3. In the soil intended for growing pampas grass, in no case should water stagnate, otherwise the root will quickly rot and the plant itself will die.

Moderation is key when fertilizing and watering pampas grass. The plant does not need excessive moisture, so it should not be watered often. And on rainy or cool days, watering should be completely excluded. Remember, from stagnation and an excess of water, the plant will not only stop blooming, but may also die. For cortaderia, moisture is especially destructive in combination with cold.

The same can be said about top dressing. If the soil is rich in nutrients, fertilizer is not required. Otherwise, in spring and autumn, you can feed the plant with standard universal fertilizers.

Overwintering of pampas grass

One of the main factors of health and survival of pampas grass in the middle lane is the correct wintering of the plant. Organizing it is not easy.


It is believed that the maximum temperature that cortaderia can withstand in winter is -25°C. In regions where the temperature drops even lower in winter, the pampas grass must be dug up and put into the basement. Moreover, the basement must be dry, otherwise the plant will die due to high humidity.

[!] There is no need to trim the pampas grass before wintering at all or minimally (about 50 centimeters from the ground). Its dry leaves will serve as additional protection. Sanitary pruning of dead wood should be carried out only in the spring, before the start of active vegetation.

Where winters are not so cold, a simple shelter can be enough. For these purposes, coniferous spruce branches or dry mowed grass are perfect. To protect the plant from frost, pampas grass leaves are tied in a sheaf, which is covered with covering material on top or gently bent to the ground. It is especially important to cover young, recently planted specimens. Older plants or those that grow in the south of our country are most often able to winter without shelter.

Diseases and pests

Pampas grass is not afraid of diseases, but it can suffer due to waterlogging combined with low temperatures. It is not easy to save the affected cortaderia. In order to destroy pathogenic microorganisms, damaged parts of the plant should be removed, and then treated with fungicides.

As for pests, they are few. Most often in summer, wasps find shelter in dense thickets of grass; in winter, mice can choose a warm dense curtain. As a rule, both those and others do not pose a danger to the plant.

Problems and questions when growing cortaderia

What to do with dry leaves of mature pampas grass that appear in the center? They can be removed, but this should be done in early spring, before the start of the growing season. It is not worth cutting dried leaves in the summer, as the plant can get sick, and in the fall they will be useful for sheltering the cortaderia.

Pampas grass leaves have dried tips. Do they need to be cut?
If this happens in summer or autumn, it is better not to touch the plant, as there is a risk of damage to it. Pampas grass should be left until spring, and in the spring, after dry warm weather is established, remove dried leaves.

Cortaderia produces many green shoots, but flower stalks do not appear. How to make pampas grass bloom?
First, you need to take into account that pampas grass does not bloom immediately, but only in the 3-5th year after planting in open ground. Secondly, you need to check in what conditions it grows, whether there is enough sun and whether there is an excess of moisture. If the soil is too rich, and fertilizers are used uncontrollably, the plant begins to "fatten" - it grows foliage at the expense of flowering. In this case, you need to dilute the top layer of soil with sand and stop using top dressing.


My pampas grass flowers don't look like the ones in the pictures. They are much less fluffy. They look like they've been nailed down by rain. Why?
You most likely have a male Cortaderia growing. Unlike women's, it is much less decorative.

Can pampas grass grow uncontrollably and is it dangerous to self-sow?
In temperate climates, this is not a problem, but in the south, cortaderia sometimes poses a threat to other plants. In some cases, its large fibrous root is even capable of damaging the foundation of nearby structures. Growers in the southern regions should carefully monitor pampas grass and limit its uncontrolled growth.
***
Growing pampas grass in the middle lane is a real art and a test of the gardener's strength. However, if you cope with this task, you will get a magnificent plant that will decorate the site and delight with luxurious flowering until late autumn.



description, planting and care, photo

Once, having visited the unusual garden of my friend, I literally “fell ill” with one amazing plant, which was planted not only to the place, but also rightfully occupied an honorable central place in the garden . Cortaderia - that's what a friend called him and told a story about how she once brought a small piece of grass from the south along with roots and planted it on a “maybe” in a sunny place in her garden. The plant took root and successfully overwintered, and a year later it turned into a chic curtain .

Many times, while vacationing in the south of our country, I saw these ornamental plants that attract the eye with their fluffy panicles. Several attempts were made to plant this magnificent plant, called pampas grass, in the country, but the climate of Central Russia is too harsh for the southern species of this crop. However, some varieties are able to grow in gardens and parks of northern latitudes, although they, of course, lose to their southern relatives in terms of appearance, height and density of inflorescences. Let's take a closer look at this unusual plant that can decorate any garden. 9Ol000 from across the ocean — Cortaderia

South America is considered the birthplace of pampas grass or cortaderia, it was from there that the seeds of an unusual plant culture came to us, and were used by landscape designers and all lovers of the exotic.

Not all varieties of pampas grass can grow in the Middle Zone, but those that can withstand harsh winters multiply very quickly and feel great. Reproduction can be in two ways: by planting seeds and by dividing an adult bush. The plant is rather undemanding and unpretentious, it is grown mainly for decorative purposes.

Description of pampas grass, its varieties and varieties

The genus of pampas grass is quite large, it includes about 25 plant species, all of them grow in Argentina, they love dry steppe air and hot climate. The plant has pointed and thin leaves that seem to cut the air, hence the name of the culture came from, because if the name is translated from Spanish, it will mean “cut”.

The stalks of pampas grass are long, reach three meters in height, and at the top of each there is an inflorescence - lush and rather long, up to half a meter. Cortaderia blooms from late summer to October. Plants with female flowers are the most attractive and large.

When it comes to garden plant species, the most popular is Cortaderia selloan (Sello). Breeders took this species as a basis and brought out many new products that differ in color, height and endurance.

The peculiarity of the foliage is roughness, and regardless of the variety, but the coloring differs in shades and can be different in color: green, bluish, silvery or whitish. For Argentines, pampas grass is not of interest as a fodder crop, but it is used in paper production.

An interesting fact is the ban in some countries on the cultivation of this plant, as it is quite aggressive and can fill quite large areas. Due to its invasiveness, cortaderia displaces other representatives of the plant world, the spread is very fast, and it is useless to weed the territory, only chemical intervention can destroy the grass. Europeans were more supportive of this type of plant and decorated gardens and greenhouses with pampas beauty.

How to plant and care for Cortaderia

The vitality and adaptability of pampas grass is amazing, it can grow in absolutely any soil: clay, stony, poor and fertile, with a high acidity and alkaline lands. Its enemy can only be swamps and shadows. Under the open rays of the sun, the grass grows rapidly, multiplies and captures new territories.

An example is the fact that in their native South American expanses, pampas grass is fought only by setting it on fire. Entire fields of cortaderia are burned in the bud in order to somehow clear the territory from the onslaught of the aggressor. Such a problem does not threaten the middle latitudes, since pampas grass dies at low temperatures and freezing of the soil.

The best time for planting is the very beginning of spring, provided that the ground has warmed up properly. The plant can be planted either by seeds or cuttings. During the summer, the plant matures, and by autumn, female plants will give a whole mass of seeds, which, thanks to self-sowing, will successfully sprout next year.

Please note! Pampas grass in central Russia often freezes out, so it is recommended to grow it in large vases or pots, and bring it into a heated room for the winter.

Frost below -12 degrees is dangerous for cortaderia, it needs shelter, but even it is not able to help the plant, therefore in our area, namely in the Moscow region and more northern regions, the crop is grown as an annual.

During the season, the southerner does not need attention and care, and even more so watering, there will be enough rains that will fall naturally. The root system of the plant is very powerful, it is able to penetrate deep into the ground and provide itself with food and water.

But what should definitely be done is cutting the bush. In the spring, broken leaves are removed, and throughout the season, you can periodically trim the bush and remove dry leaves. The procedure must be done with gloves. Such precautions will protect against cuts. Jackets look much more attractive and neat after trimming.

Propagation methods

So, spring is the best time to plant pampas grass, it can be sown either in open ground or in the ground in a container. Of course, the second method is more reliable; with it, insects and rodents are not afraid of seedlings. Well, for the northerners, this method will be practically the only one.

The soil should be loose and fairly moist, do not bury the seed into the soil, just place it on the surface and lightly press down with your fingers. The containers on top must be covered with glass or a bag and placed in a warm and bright place for a week. Shoots will appear after 7 - 9 days.

When young seedlings grow to a height of 15 cm, they are planted in a permanent place, but taking into account the distance between future bushes, it should be at least a meter. Mineral fertilizer should be applied to the wells, you can take the finished complex and dilute it with water and pour it into the prepared pits. Further, the plant will not need additional nutrition throughout the growing season.

Dividing is also a very effective way to land. If the bush managed to overwinter and grows in your region as a perennial plant, it should be carefully dug up, divided into several parts and planted each in a separate place, having previously applied mineral fertilizer.

Place in a garden landscape

Since pampas grass becomes quite a large bush, it should be planted in places where it does not interfere with other flowers and plants. It is good if it grows away from human life, because its foliage serves as a subject for cuts, first of all, this applies to families with small children. Grasping a leaf of grass, a child can suffer greatly.

Pampas grass looks impressive among stones or water, on rocky hills, where its neighbors can be valerian, meadowsweet, miscanthus, delphinium, coniferous plants.

The plant looks great in single plantings, can be in the center of a flower bed or as an addition to any flower arrangement.

Cortaderia has no equal near a pond or artificial reservoir, it looks so spectacular near the water, surrounded by hostas, lilies or other beautifully flowering plants, that it is difficult to take your eyes off this spectacle. Against its background, all color shades look brighter, richer and much more advantageous.

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