Planting pampas grass seed
A Guide for Flower Growers
How to Grow Pampas Grass: A Guide for Flower GrowersTeam Flower
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If you’re a cut flower grower or flower farmer, you’ve probably already noticed the growing popularity of using pampas grass in floral design and home decor. Are you wondering how to grow pampas grass, harvest it, and make money off it? If so, you’ve found the right resource!
(And if you’re a home gardener or flower fan who’s found your way here—welcome! You’re in good company. There’s great stuff in this article for home gardeners, too!)
Pampas grass wedding floral design and event decor has found its way all over Pinterest—and rightly so! (1)
You’ll find the following in this article:
Pros and cons to growing pampas grass
How to grow pampas grass
The best growing zones for pampas
Where to sell pampas grass
How to harvest and dry pampas grass—and how to store until purchased or shipped
Beautiful alternatives to pampas grass (when it’s hard to grow in your zone)
Should You Grow Pampas Grass (If You Can)?
Pampas grass has found its way all over Pinterest in wedding floral design and event decor, but it’s also popping up in everyday bouquets and home decor.
If you’re a cut flower grower (or even a micro flower farmer!), you might be wondering if you can get in on the pampas grass trend and earn additional revenue off this popular ornamental grass.
How can you provide this easy-to-grow popular cut plume to your market—and as soon as possible?
This grass can be challenging for floral designers to easily source due to its popularity. If you have the growing space (and even the drying and storage space) for this sought-after ornamental grass, you could earn additional revenue for your floral business.
This grass can be challenging for floral designers to source due to its popularity.
And if you’re a home gardener who has a ton of it, you may be able to earn a little extra gardening money in the late summer and fall by getting in contact with floral designers in your area ahead of the pampas-grass blooming season.
But growing pampas grass isn’t for everyone—and only you know what’s best for your farm, garden, and your local market. Let’s dive into a quick list of some of the pros and cons!
Curious about growing flowers for market? Love to grow flowers but want to earn money doing so? Check out our online flower growing classes to learn how to make money growing and selling flowers.
Pros to Growing and Selling Pampas Grass
There are benefits to growing pampas grass to sell at market—let’s look into some of the pros below!
It’s a popular, on-trend floral product that’s not going away anytime soon.
It’s easy to grow and dry.
If you’re a flower farmer who already has floral design or wholesale clients, it’s likely your customers are also looking for pampas grass wholesale sources.
Depending on the availability in your area, you may be able to charge a premium.
Home decor enthusiasts are also seeking out dried pampas grass, so you may reach new markets.
If you have drying and storage space, you may be able to open up new revenue streams by selling dried pampas grass directly through sites like Etsy.
It’s resistant to many garden pests and requires low water.
Some varieties of pampas grass are sterile (non-seed producing), which can decrease or eliminate the unwanted spread of seeds.
Cons to Growing and Selling Pampas Grass
Growing pampas grass isn’t for every farmer or gardener. Below are some cons that you’ll need to think through before diving in.
Pampas grass is considered an invasive species in some areas, so you must check with the regulations in your state or country.
Pampas grass can get out of control, as it produces tons of seeds that can easily be blown throughout your property and grows to become quite large.
Growing this grass may be best left to those who have significant growing space. (It can get massive)
Containing may be difficult, and in some cases, may require regularly burning or intense pruning.
Removing pampas grass is labor-intensive if you decide to stop growing it.
Reducing the size or thinning out overgrown pampas grass is an extensive chore; it’s a huge plant with strong roots that requires significant labor to do so.
If you’re selling cut pampas grass, it requires extra storage and drying space.
The foliage of pampas grass is incredibly sharp! If you have young children at your residence or farm, you’ll want to grow it away from any play areas.
Again, only you know what’s right for your farm or garden!
Growing pampas grass in bulk may be best for those who have significant growing space. That way, the plant is cultivated away from other flower farming endeavors, having plenty of wiggle room to grow and reducing seed distribution in other growing spaces.
But if you know that growing this beloved ornamental is right for you, let’s move into some growing tips!
Pampas grass and dried florals stand out against a bright green backdrop. (2)
How to Grow Pampas Grass
Pampas grass is easy to grow, but you’ll need to be strategic about where you plant it. While some varieties do well in containers (especially the dwarf varieties), you’ll need to plan out your growing space ahead of time if you’re growing the full-size plant in bulk for cut flower use.
Quick facts about growing pampas:
Pampas grass does best in growing zones 7-11; however, some hardy varieties can be successfully grown in zone 6.
The grass should be planted in full sun for best bloom yield results, but it can tolerate partial shade.
Pampas must be planted in well-drained soil.
For full-size pampas grass, you’ll need 6–8 feet between plants if you’re using them as a hedge (1).
If you don’t need a tight hedge and desire more space (especially for harvesting), plan on giving more room for optimum growth, spacing, and harvesting—possibly up to 14 feet (2).
If you’re growing pampas grass from seed, it will take 2 to 3 years until you receive a solid bloom yield, so plan accordingly.
Full-size pampas grass can grow up to 12 feet tall, so ensure you have correct and safe tools to harvest cut plumes (and possibly even a step ladder!)
Remember: Pampas grass is easy to grow, but be strategic about where you plant it. It needs lots of room!
Growing pampas grass from seed
Growing pampas grass from seed is simple, straightforward, and cost-effective, but it does take some patience.
Remember, if you start pampas grass from seed, you won’t have the fluffy plumes for 2 to 3 years.
Sow your pampas grass seeds in your growing medium in flats or trays.
Leave the seeds on the surface of your growing medium—don’t press them down into the soil or bury them.
Keep your tray of seeds moist—but not wet—and in a warm area (no less than 65 degrees F).
Pampas grass seeds need consistent light to germinate, so ensure your seeds are getting at least 6-8 hours of light a day.
Once the seeds sprout, you may need to transplant them individually into small containers until they mature further.
Once any risk of frost is over and the seedlings themselves are slightly grassy or bushy with some solid root development, you can move them into your garden or growing space, keeping the 6–14 feet spacing between plants in mind.
If you prefer to get growing right away, you can purchase more mature pampas grass plants for sale in one-gallon and three-gallon containers from many plant retailers and garden centers. These can be more expensive to start with; however, they may shorten your wait time for those beautiful pampas plumes.
Caring for pampas grass
Each year, pampas should be pruned and cut back close to the ground to encourage new, healthy growth.
Pampas grass care is simple: Each year, it should be pruned and cut back close to the ground to encourage new, healthy growth. Leave several inches of length behind, so your pampas grass plant looks like a little shrub that received a buzz cut!
Pruning should take place in late winter or early spring—and prune with care using the right tools and safety gear, as the blades of grass are sharp and can be prickly. Some gardeners even recommend a chainsaw for pruning due to the heartiness and thickness of the plant (3).
Harvesting Pampas Grass: Drying, Storing, and Selling
Pampas grass blooms in late summer and early fall. Depending on your growing zone and season, pampas grass may bloom (or maintain its blooms if not cut) throughout the winter.
To harvest pampas, simply snip the stalk of the plumes at your desired stem length. Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind before harvesting the plumes:
Harvest plumes before they mature and shed. Cutting pampas grass soon after it blooms will reduce the shedding that comes with aging.
Watch out for unexpected inhabitants. The bushy ornamental grass can be a haven for rodents, snakes, and more. Make sure it’s safe and that you’re in the clear before you start harvesting.
Remember, the grass is sharp! Wear long sleeves, gloves, and any other safety gear you may need.
Listen to your customers. Are you selling to floral designers who need the longest stems available for installations? Or are you okay to cut plumes shorter based on your market’s needs? Perhaps your goal is to harvest the stems as long as possible and let your customers decide the length.
If you plan on drying pampas grass plumes and storing them until they’re purchased or shipped, ensure you have a warm, dry place to dry. Spritzing the plumes with a light coat of cheap hairspray as needed during the drying process will keep them intact and help with preservation.
If you’re storing dried pampas for some time before fulfilling orders or using in design work, Team Flower Member Jennifer Parker recommends storing dried pampas grass in large garbage bags to keep it contained, minimizing the shedding mess. Simply fluff before shipping or taking to market and include instructions for the receiver on continued careful preservation.
Where to Sell Pampas Grass
If you’re growing and harvesting pampas grass to sell, there are several ways to get your cut pampas plumes to customers.
You can connect with Slow Flowers to join the site directory to be found by floral professionals and consumers looking for local flower growers.
You also can join the Team Flower Community (that’s us!) to be included in the directory. Many of our community members are looking for regular pampas grass wholesale resources!
Consider allowing others to carefully forage the grass from your property at a pay per stem rate.
You could also consider allowing floral designers, interior designers, and even pampas grass home decor lovers in your area to forage the grass at a pay per stem rate. (However, just make sure you have the proper insurance on your property in place and that everyone is wearing the appropriate safety gear, taking safety precautions, and using the correct harvesting equipment.)
You could also sell your fresh-harvested or dried pampas grass in places such as:
Etsy
eBay
Directly through your website (if you have the capability)
Local farmers’ markets in your area
Makers’ markets, art fairs, and other craft- and decor-centered local events
Floral wholesalers in your region
Check out our Growing and Selling Flowers for Market online class to equip yourself to sell your floral products confidently to your community!
Beautiful Substitutions for Pampas Grass
Despite pampas grass being easy to grow and requiring minimal care, perhaps you’ve decided it’s not the right choice for your flower farm or garden space. But how can you take advantage of the fluffy, fun, and striking ornamental grass trend?
Consider adding other ornamental grasses or plants to your growing operations!
If growing pampas grass isn’t for you, you may want to consider adding other ornamental grasses or plants to your growing operations that provide a similar visual impact in floral designs and home decor.
While there is no alternative to pampas grass that is truly interchangeable (it’s in a league of its own!), some ideas are included below.
Finding a substitution for pampas grass can be difficult, but it isn’t impossible. (3)
Bunny grass (this has a different look than pampas, but it can give that bouncy, airy feel that your customers are searching for)
Wheat
Dried wild oats
Oriental feather grass
Muhly grass
Giant wildrye grass
Feather reed grass
African love grass
In addition, some dried and bleached cut palms and ferns can offer a similar look and may be a well-received offering by your cut flower customers. This can be a great product to provide your clients if you have the space and operations to dry, bleach, and store cut botanicals.
For a more extensive list of pampas grass substitutes—including design and storage tips—read Where to Buy Pampas Grass Wholesale + Practical Design Tips for Floral Pros.
Is Growing Pampas Grass for You?
If you’re already growing cut flowers and are wondering if you should add pampas grass to your offerings, it can be easy to start doing so.
Currently, pampas grass is in high demand for weddings and events and in the floral design and home decor industries, so it’s a great time to start growing.
Pampas grass is in high demand for weddings, events, and in the floral design and home decor industries.
Just make sure you have suitable space and growing conditions before you begin! (And the patience to wait for those sought-after, fluffy plumes!)
Do you have a pampas grass growing tip or correction to this guide that you’d like to share? Contact us via the red chat button on the bottom right! We love hearing from our readers.
Photography Credit: Design by The Flora Club
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Where to Buy Pampas Grass Wholesale + Practical Design Tips for Floral Pros
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- As they grow, thin the seedlings to 23cm apart. Replant the ones which have been removed.
- 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)
- 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.
- Tie a bunch of three or four stems together with string. Make a loop for hanging.
- Choose a warm, dry space and hang the bunch upside down, making sure that the air can circulate around it.
- Leave for two to three weeks.
- 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:
- Shop pampas grass at Amazon
- Shop pampas grass at Crocus
- Shop pampas grass at Suttons
- Shop pampas grass at Thompson & Morgan
- Shop pampas grass at Waitrose Garden
Buy pampas grass in the US:
- Shop pampas grass at Amazon
- Shop pampas grass at Burpee
- Shop pampas grass at Home Depot
- Shop pampas grass at Walmart
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.
planting, care and outdoor cultivation
Pampas grass (cortaderia or Sello) is considered the queen of grasses. Unfortunately, it is still rare in our country. This powerful grass is most often grown as an ornamental plant, sometimes it is used as livestock feed. Cortaderia shoots serve as a good background for other plants all summer or can play the role of a living screen, hiding unsightly places. It will decorate and transform any site. To accelerate the growth of grass, it is grown in seedlings. How to plant pampas grass and what care to provide for it, we will describe in detail in our article.
Table of Table of Contents
1. Description of grass 2. How to prepare seeds for sowing 3. Planting a Cortery with seeds 4. Growing pampasa grass 5. How to properly care for a plantCortadaria is grown for beauty. Photo by pixabay/Didgeman
Brief description of pampas grass (cortaderia)
Pampas grass is a type of cereal. A cereal from South America, where it grows everywhere like a weed. In her homeland, the steppes, where this grass and other cereals grow in abundance, are called pampas. Hence the name!
The plant is perennial and decorative. Therefore, pampas grass is actively used in landscape design. The main highlight of cortaderia is its fluffy panicles, which can be painted in different shades. The length of the inflorescence in some varieties can reach up to a meter in length.
An adult plant in our conditions grows from 2 to 3 meters in height and the same width. There are female and male plants. Female flowers are the most spectacular, and male ones are more modest. Flowering lasts from August to October.
When growing pampas grass from seeds, remember:
- Purchased seeds tend to germinate poorly.
- Approximately half of the seedlings will grow with male flowers, which are less showy&
- The first flowering occurs in 3-4 years.
- In our conditions, it is quite difficult to obtain grass seeds, as they either do not have time to start or ripen.
- Cortaderia is a dioecious plant. Therefore, in order to collect your seeds, it is necessary that you have both a male and a female plant.
If these features do not scare you, then the following describes how to prepare the seeds for planting and how to sow them correctly. Sow seeds for seedlings begin in February or early March. The term depends on the region and the specific site.
It will take 3 or 4 years to wait for the first flowering. Photo by pixabay/Madamdreamweaver
Preparing Seeds
Cortaderia seeds can be purchased at the store or prepared by yourself. You can prepare seeds on your own only in the southern regions. They are quite small and light. Before storage, freshly harvested seeds must be dried.
When buying seeds, pay attention to the date of collection. The packs usually indicate the year of harvest. Seed germination decreases over time. Also pay attention to the condition of the pack. It should be dry, without holes or scuffs. The newer and fresher, the more likely the seeds will sprout.
Reference
One mature plant can produce over a million seeds.
Grass seeds must be stratified before planting. 1-2 months they should be in a cold place where the temperature will be kept in the range from 0 to + 4 degrees. Under natural conditions, the seeds undergo stratification when winter comes. At home, you need to imitate this process.
Seed stratification is when seeds are kept under a wet layer at a certain temperature. It is very convenient to stratify the seeds in the refrigerator, in the vegetable compartment. Immediately before planting, it is advisable to soak the seeds for 15 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or in a Fitosporin solution diluted according to the instructions. After that, the seeds are washed in running water.
Seeds must be properly prepared for sowing. Photo by O. Nikonorova
Planting pampas grass (cortaderia) with seeds at 9steps
The algorithm for sowing seeds for all types of cortaderia is the same:
- It is best to sow in seedling boxes no more than 10 cm high. If there are few seeds, you can sow in plastic containers. There should be drainage holes at the bottom of the container.
- The soil is best used loose, fertile. A mixture of peat, sand and universal soil is well suited. You can add some vermiculite.
- Spread the seeds over the surface, without embedding, in an even layer.
- To spread the seeds evenly, you can mix them with a handful of sand.
- We try to keep the distance between the seeds a little less than 1 cm.
- Then lightly press the seeds to the soil with your fingers.
- Moisturize with a spray bottle.
- Cover the top with a lid, film or glass, simulating greenhouse conditions.
- Place the container in a bright and warm place.
Can also be sown in peat tablets. It is best to put several seeds in one tablet. When they sprout, leave the strongest seedlings. Seedlings appear in 12–20 days at a temperature of +20…+23 degrees.
Follow sowing recommendations. Photo by pexels/Teona Swift
How to grow pampas grass seedlings at home
Crops need to be ventilated daily. When shoots appear, you need to gradually increase the ventilation time, and after 3-5 days the shelter is completely removed.
If necessary, moisten the soil with a spray gun. We do not allow the soil to dry out. When the seedling is small, it can be detrimental to her. Watering is moderate. The pampas grass does not like the bay either.
Picking
Picking is important when growing pampas grass. When the plants grow 3-4 true leaves, the seedlings can be planted in separate containers. Seedlings dive into larger containers with a diameter of at least 10 cm. After diving for several days, plants need bright but diffused light.
When the seedlings are visibly alive, they are placed on the sunniest window sill. A week after the dive, the first feeding of pampas grass is carried out. It is better to feed with fertilizers in liquid form. It can be universal fertilizers for flowers or fertilizers prepared according to folk recipes. Then we feed 1 time in 7-10 days. The dosage for fertilizer is always better to underestimate a little.
Disease and pest control
Pampas grass rarely gets sick. Its main enemy is high humidity and low temperature. If such conditions have developed and the plant is sick, then it most likely does not make sense to treat it. To exclude the spread of pathogenic microorganisms, the damaged parts of the plant are removed completely. The soil should be replaced and shed with a fungicide. As such, the plant does not have pests.
7 tips for caring for pampas grass
Cortaderia is easy to care for. This is a rather unpretentious plant that quickly adapts to different conditions:
- Before planting in the ground, at least 2 weeks in advance, the seedlings begin to harden off. Gradually increase the time spent on the street.
- In spring (April-May), seedlings are planted in the ground - only after the threat of return, night frosts has passed. On the street, they begin to actively grow and grow.
- Properly place the pampas grass in the garden. The best place to plant pampas grass in the ground is in a sunny, wind-sheltered spot. It is good if taller plants grow nearby. There should be no stagnant water in this place. If the soil is heavy, it is necessary to lay a drainage layer when planting.
- After planting in the ground, watering should be regular, as the grass will actively grow the root system. Cortaderia easily tolerates short-term drought, but she does not like excessive soil moisture at all.
- If cortaderia grows in a flowerpot outside, then watering should be more frequent and plentiful.
- Pampas grass grows into a powerful shrub of fairly decent height. Therefore, she needs a lot of food. Fertilizers with an equal content of phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium are best suited. The first top dressing after planting in the ground is carried out no earlier than 1.5 months later.
- The first winter for pampas grass can be fatal. Therefore, it is advisable to transfer the seedlings to an insulated unheated greenhouse, to a cold basement, or to make a warm, dry shelter. In the second year, you can already leave the plant in the open field to winter.
Now you know everything about planting and caring for pampas grass outdoors. So, you can easily grow it on your site.
Cortaderia is easy to care for. Photo pixabay/Vivacia
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Read also our other articles:
Lawn: the right choice and care
Ideas for landscaping a suburban area in Siberia
Landscaping design in landscape style
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Do you grow pampas grass? Share your care tips with other gardeners in the comments.
planting and care, propagation by seeds
Hello, my readers! If you do not know what plant to decorate the front garden with, do not despair. A universal and original solution would be pampas grass, planting and caring for this herbal crop is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance.
In addition, this ornamental grass does not belong to the capricious varieties of plants. Absolutely any soil is suitable for its cultivation, and any novice gardener can do this process.
Contents
- Description of the plant
- How to grow pampas grass from seeds
- How to care for Cortaderia
Description of the plant
Cortaderia belongs to the grass family of the plant world. Pampas grass seeds were brought to Europe from Latin America. Luxurious appearance, even a little pretentious, runs counter to the general unpretentiousness.
When you want to grow Cortaderia in your area, it is not at all necessary to take into account the many factors that play an important role in the cultivation of other botanical crops. Basically, in order for this plant to feel comfortable, it does not matter at all what the lighting, planting depth or groundwater will be.
Among over 20 cultivars, the pink and silver varieties of pampas grass have long earned the love of landscapers. Without requiring special conditions for adaptation, such a plant lives well even during periods of prolonged drought. Ideal for central Russia, so often this plant can be found in the suburbs.
Meanwhile, if you put maximum care and effort into caring for such grass, it will become not just an addition to a flower bed, but also its full-fledged decorating element.
The description of this cereal perennial does not fall under the characteristics of any plant familiar to us. In height, pampas grass can easily reach three meters, having straight long stems. At their ends are located unique inflorescences, collected in a kind of panicles. They resemble many spikelets, painted in a silvery shade and forming the appearance of a white plume.
Thin, lanceolate leaves grow near the ground. Due to their abundance, cortaderia can easily be mistaken for some fluffy bush. Such ornamental grass grows with ease, turning into entire pampas plantations.
How to Grow Pampas Grass from Seeds
Considering the culture's indifference to soil acidity, it grows easily even on rocks and in clay soil. At the same time, direct sunlight affects the size of the emerging bush.
To sow cortaderia seeds, you need to prepare in advance for this procedure. Numerous reviews of professionals talk about when it is better to plant a plant. The best time for this is mid-spring.
As soon as the frosts recede, it is time for sowing. Despite excellent germination, it is advisable to pre-treat the seeds with a weak manganese solution.
Propagation by seeds of pampas grass in general will not take a lot of time. After placing the seeds in a container with a substrate, you should cover the container and place it in a warm place. After a couple of weeks, it will be fashionable to see the first sprouts, which will soon need to be sent to an open area. Thus, you can get an excellent result in the form of a unique decorative culture.
How to take care of cortaderia
As already mentioned, pampas grass easily copes with the lack of moisture. It owes this advantage to a particularly deep root system. Penetrating into the lower layers of the soil, the plant reaches the groundwater, which provides itself with stable moisture. Abundant watering, of course, will benefit him, but even in conditions of almost complete absence of moisture, the culture will not disappear.
However, it is worth noting the weak winter hardiness of pampas grass. It must be prepared for severe frosts. The space around the bushes is fenced with a net and filled with straw and hay. Therefore, mainly cortaderia is grown in the southern regions with a predominantly mild climate. Often, many gardeners resort to growing plants in large flowerpots, so that with the onset of cold weather they can be moved indoors, and with the advent of the warm season, put them outside again.