Feather Reed Grass is a hybrid resulting from a cross between two species native to Europe and Asia. Feather Reed Grass is an ornamental grass with clumps of slender, wiry leaves 18 to 36 inches tall and loosely feathered, purplish plumes on stems that rise to 5 feet high. The plumes appear in early summer and gradually turn to narrow, vertical, buff-colored plumes by late summer. The plumes remain attractive through most of the winter and make good sources for fresh or dry arrangements. The plant has a fine texture, stands erect from a narrow clump of foliage, and can be useful as a vertical accent plant. The plant grows rapidly in well-drained, fertile soil, that does not dry out but will tolerate heavy clay to poor soil and dry to wet sites. It blooms best in light shade, especially afternoon shade that mitigates hot summers. However, as the shade increases, the flowers and erectness of the foliage diminish. It is a good container plant, but if planted in the ground, does not produce viable seed and will not become invasive. To ensure good growth in the spring, you should cut the clumps back to the ground in late winter. Feather Reed Grass is also deer resistant. Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for rust, particularly after prolonged rainy periods.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet | Very Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Green
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Large, dense, erect clumps of narrow, flattened, green leaves from which rise stiffly upright flowering stalks in summer.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Gold/Yellow; Green; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Good Cut; Good Dried; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower detail
Loosely feathered, subtly purplish inflorescence appear in early summer. Become narrow, vertical, buff, colored plumes by late summer. Remain attractive most of the winter.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer; Winter
Fruit color
Cream/Tan
Fruit type
Caryopsis
Fruit detail
Seed in the form of grain
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe to Russian Far East
Attracts
Butterflies; Songbirds
Play value
Buffer; Pieces Used in Games; Screening; Textural; Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Caryopsis
Uses (ethnobotany)
This plant was used by Native Americans for clothing, mats, containers, and tools.