Korean Feather Reed Grass
Calamagrostis brachytricha
Korean Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 30–42 in tall and 24–30 in wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Feathery pink-purple plumes in late summer; tolerates part shade unusually well for a grass.
Plant Select®medium water30–42 in tall and 24–30 in wideDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Andrew Bazdyrev, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: James K. Lindsey, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 3: Dominicus Johannes Bergsma, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 4: Dominicus Johannes Bergsma, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 30–42 in tall and 24–30 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~21–30 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late summer, early fall
- Bloom color
- pink, purple
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Planting & establishment
Deep water every 1–2 weeks during establishment (first growing season), then water sparingly per Plant Select guidance.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Korean Feather Reed Grass good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Korean Feather Reed Grass is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Korean Feather Reed Grass get?
- It matures to about 30–42 in tall and 24–30 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Korean Feather Reed Grass?
- Space Korean Feather Reed Grass about 21 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 30 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Korean Feather Reed Grass hardy on the Front Range?
- Korean Feather Reed Grass is hardy in USDA 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Korean Feather Reed Grass need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- Is Korean Feather Reed Grass native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Korean Feather Reed Grass deer-resistant?
- Korean Feather Reed Grass is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- How long does Korean Feather Reed Grass bloom?
- Korean Feather Reed Grass blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
