Plant DetailShow Menu

Diamond Grass Calamagrostis brachytricha

Phonetic Spelling
ka-la-ma-GROSS-tis brak-ee-TRYKE-ah
Description

Calamagrostis brachytricha, or Korean Feather Reed Grass, is an ornamental, warm season, grass with an upright, arching habit. It slowly spreads in clumps of half inch glossy, green leaves. Pink tinged tinged  plumes appear in late summer atop stems that can reach 4 feet high. The plumes mature to a light tan as the seeds ripen, but tend to disintegrate by early winter. The grass itself remains open and feathery when dry making it suitable for fresh or dry arrangements. The plant reseeds in moist shady woodlands but is manageable.

The grass is easy to grow in average, medium to wet soils, in partial shade. It will tolerate full sun with adequate moisture. It also does well in heavy clay soils, which differentiates it from other ornamental grasses and makes it a prime ornamental for North Carolina. Soils should be kept moist and not allowed to dry out. It will bloom in light shade and prefers afternoon shade in hot southern climates. To ensure good growth in the spring, cut the grass clumps to the ground in late winter before the new shoots appear.

The plant is resistant to predation by deer.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fall interest#ornamental grass#deer resistant#cutting garden#clay soils tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fall interest#ornamental grass#deer resistant#cutting garden#clay soils tolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Calamagrostis
    Species:
    brachytricha
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and Eastern Asia
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    deer resistant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    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
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Flower Description:
    Pink tinged tinged flower plumes appear in late summer atop stems rising well above the foliage clump to 4 feet tall. Plumes mature to a light tan as the seeds ripen, but tend to disintegrate by early winter.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Mound of narrow, stiff, green leaves (1/4 to 5/8 inch wide). Foliage turns yellowish beige in fall.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Woodland
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Pollution
    Rabbits
    Salt
    Wet Soil