Feather Reed-grass Overdam

A hybrid cultivar much valued by garden designers for its variegation, early flowering and upright habit, Calamagrostis x acutiflora Overdam is a compact, deciduous, perennial, cool-season grass with a slowly spreading, clump-forming habit. The stiff, slightly arching, narrow leaves are mid-green with vertical cream stripes, emphasising the plant’s upright form. In June, narrow, airy, pinkish awns rise above the foliage clump, eventually turning golden, then pale brown, as do the leaves. These persist into winter, giving valuable structure in the garden; cut back hard in late winter to allow the new foliage through. Feather reed-grass Overdam is excellent for informal borders or prairie plantings.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Any well-drained soil, preferably moist and humus-rich
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Season of interest: July to December in particular
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 39” (1m) Spread: 31” (80cm)