{"product_id":"calamagrostis-x-acutiflora-karl-foerster","title":"Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeather Reed Grass \/ Karl Foerster Grass\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"342\" data-start=\"314\"\u003eCalamagrostis × acutiflora\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Karl Foerster’\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Poaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Garden hybrid (European ancestry)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deciduous ornamental grass (upright clumping)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"843\" data-start=\"513\"\u003eOne of the world’s most reliable and architecturally striking ornamental grasses, \u003cem data-end=\"610\" data-start=\"595\"\u003eCalamagrostis\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Karl Foerster’ is exceptionally well suited to Adelaide’s Mediterranean climate. Known for its strongly upright habit, it forms neat vertical clumps that provide structure, movement and year-round interest without flopping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1282\" data-start=\"845\"\u003eFresh green foliage emerges in spring, followed by tall, narrow flower plumes in early summer that open soft green, then mature to wheat-gold and buff tones. These elegant plumes persist well into winter, making ‘Karl Foerster’ invaluable for modern, formal, and low-maintenance landscapes. Heat tolerant, frost hardy and adaptable to a wide range of soils, it performs reliably across South Australia when given reasonable drainage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size: \u003c\/strong\u003e1.2–1.5 m H × 0.6–0.8 m W (including flower plumes; foliage clump lower)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30–50 cm per year under good conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Narrow, mid-green linear leaves forming tight, vertical clumps; turns golden-straw in autumn before dormancy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tall, narrow, feathery plumes held upright above foliage; emerge green in early summer, ageing to golden-tan and buff\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strong vertical form spring–summer; golden plumes through autumn; attractive dried structure in winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provides shelter for insects and small fauna; seed heads occasionally used by birds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heat tolerant; drought tolerant once established; wind tolerant; frost hardy; tolerant of a wide range of soils if well drained\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mass planting: 3–5 plants per m²; Mass planting: 3–5 plants per m²\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-toxic to cats and dogs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to light part shade (best form and flowering in full sun)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adaptable to sandy, loamy or improved clay soils; prefers consistent drainage; avoid prolonged waterlogging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: 2 deep soaks\/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; minimal watering in winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very low — cut back hard to 5–10 cm above ground in late winter before new growth emerges; no regular feeding required\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–20+ years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal for temperate and Mediterranean South Australia — Adelaide Plains, foothills, Fleurieu Peninsula\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Neutral to slightly alkaline; tolerant of mildly acidic soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong vertical accent in modern and architectural gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRepetition planting for formal avenues or borders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMass planting for movement and texture in large beds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent backdrop to perennials such as salvia, echinacea and gaura\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWinter interest planting where dried plumes are left standing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Karl Foerster’ is unmatched for structure, reliability and year-round presence. It stays upright without staking, thrives in Adelaide’s heat, and delivers seasonal drama with almost no maintenance. Whether used formally or in relaxed plantings, it’s a designer favourite for good reason.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"140mm Pot","offer_id":48685453738236,"sku":"CALA-X-ACUT-KARL-140MM","price":20.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/calamagrostis-x-acutiflora-karl-foerster-feather-reed-grass-140mm-flower-adelaide-plant-co.png?v=1769049461","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/calamagrostis-x-acutiflora-karl-foerster","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}