Calamagrostis canescens
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Arundo canescens
- Calamagrostis calamagrostis
- Phonetic Spelling
- ka-la-ma-GROSS-tis ka-NES-senz
- Description
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Purple Small-Reed is a long-lived perennial grass that is native to Europe and Western Siberia. It is loosely clump forming and found in large swaths in salt marshes and wet habitats and can spread quickly by its shallow rhizomes. It is not commonly found in North or South America.
The grass prefers full sun in amended medium to wet well-drained soils. It will grow 3 to 5 feet tall and spread 2 to 3 feet.
A slender stem with no lateral branches holds a large, slightly nodding branched inflorescence, which has many tiny hairs that look like an eyelash. This inflorescence turns purple when in flower, giving the grass its common name. The inflorescence turns tan later in the season. The leaf blades are flat with entire margins and hold their shape well in winter.
The grass can be used along bogs, steams or ponds and to help prevent erosion.. See native grass options to the left
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems but watch for aphids, spider mites, mealbugs and grubs. Diseases- watch for rust, leaf spot and crown rot.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Calamagrostis
- Species:
- canescens
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe to Siberia and Turkey
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
- Fruit Description:
- Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- The 2 to 7 inch flower is an open oblong shaped panicle, which is purple in late summer and turns tan as the season progresses.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Cream/Tan
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The flat, slender leaves have small hairs that create a rough texture. The 2 to 7 inch long leaves are a 1/4 inch wide and narrow to a point at its apex. At the base where the leaf and stem meet, there may appear a hair-like membrane (ligule).
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
