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Dense clumps and silky panicles of flowers in soft colors characterize the pampas grass from South America. More and more hobby gardeners are being enchanted by the beautiful ornamental grass. We present 16 varieties.

In a nutshell

  • Pampas grass comes from South America
  • forms dense clumps
  • Growth height up to three meters
  • large panicles of flowers visible from afar on tall, sturdy stalks

The favorite among ornamental grasses

The pampas grass, which comes from South America, has taken the hearts of garden designers by storm. The decorative tufts of silver, yellow or soft pink feathers appear on many plots of land in late summer. Even when not in bloom, the grass looks attractive with its light green, partly frosted or patterned leaves. With a height of up to three meters, the plants cannot be overlooked.
If you want to enjoy the decorative ornamental grass for a long time, you have to consider your requirements:

  • Location: warm and sunny
  • Soil quality: well-drained, humic, sandy to loamy
  • Watering: when dry, avoid waterlogging
  • Fertilizer: compost in spring
  • Pruning: Cut back in spring

Varieties from A - L

Alba (Cortaderia selloana 'Alba')

Source: Forest & Kim Starr, Starr-091209-0420-Cortaderia selloana-flower plumes-Kula-Maui (24898666241) edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 3.0 US
  • Leaves: grey-green
  • flowers: white
  • Height: 0.50 to 0.70 meters
  • Flowering time: September to November
  • Hardiness: Winter protection required
  • Feature: suitable for tub culture

Evita (Cortaderia selloana 'Evita')

  • Leaves: grey-green, narrow, pointed
  • flowers: light yellow
  • Height: 1.00 to 1.50 meters
  • Flowering period: August to October
  • Hardiness: hardy
  • Special features: sprawling growth

Attention: The leaves of the pampas grass are pointed and razor sharp. Do not plant it near your children's play areas.

Golden Fantasy (Cortaderia selloana 'Golden Fantasy')

  • Leaves: dark green, robust
  • flowers: white
  • Height: 1.00 to 1.50 meters
  • Flowering period: August to November
  • Hardiness: Winter protection required
  • Feature: sprawling growth

Lilliput (Cortaderia selloana 'Liliput')

  • Leaves: grey-green
  • flowers: white
  • Height: 0.80 to 1.00 meters
  • Flowering time: September to November
  • Hardiness: Winter protection recommended
  • Feature: grows very wide

Varieties from M - R

Mini Gold Pampas (Cortaderia selloana 'Mini Gold Pampas')

  • Leaves: grey-green, pointed
  • flowers: golden yellow
  • Height: 0.50 to 1.20 meters
  • Flowering time: September to November
  • Hardiness: hardy
  • Characteristic: small variety, suitable for tub cultivation

Monstrosa (Cortaderia selloana 'Monstrosa')

  • Leaves: grey-green
  • flowers: silvery white
  • Height: 1.50 to 2.50 meters
  • Flowering time: September to November
  • Hardiness: Winter protection required
  • Feature: protect from moisture in winter

Patagonia (Cortaderia selloana 'Patagonia')

  • Leaves: light green
  • Flowers: gray with reddish tinge
  • Height: 0.90 to 1.50 meters
  • Flowering time: September to October
  • Hardiness: Winter protection required
  • Characteristic: very soft flower fronds

Pumila (Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila')

  • Leaves: dark green, narrow
  • flowers: white
  • Height: 0.80 to 1.00 meters
  • Flowering time: September to November
  • Hardiness: Winter protection required
  • Characteristic: small variety, suitable for container planting

Rendatleri (Cortaderia selloana 'Rendatleri')

  • Leaves: grey-green, narrow, pointed
  • Flowers: pink
  • Height: 1.50 to 2.50 meters
  • Flowering time: September to October
  • Hardiness: Winter protection required
  • Feature: suitable for pond edges

Pink Feather (Cortaderia selloana 'Pink Feather')

  • Leaves: grey-green, strong, rough
  • flowers: light pink, later brownish
  • Height: 0.90 to 2.50 meters
  • Flowering time: September to October
  • Hardiness: Winter protection recommended
  • Feature: attractive fruit decoration, suitable as a solitary plant

Rosea (Cortaderia selloana 'Rosea')

  • Leaves: grey-green, strong, toothed edges
  • Flowers: grey-pink, long panicles
  • Height: 0.80 to 1.80 meters
  • Flowering time: September to October
  • Hardiness: Winter protection necessary
  • Characteristic: rare variety with small flowers

Tip: Combine different varieties of pampas grass. During the flowering period, an enchanting play of colors of the soft flower colors develops.

Varieties from S - Z

Scarlet Wonder (Cortaderia selloana 'Scarlet Wonder')

  • Leaves: grey-green
  • Flowers: pink
  • Height: 1.50 to 2.50 meters
  • Flowering time: September to November
  • Hardiness: Winter protection required
  • Feature: sprawling growth

Silver Comet (Cortaderia selloana 'Silver Comet')

  • Leaves: very light green
  • flowers: light yellow
  • Height: 1.00 to 1.50 meters
  • Flowering time: September to October
  • Hardiness: Winter protection required
  • Feature: beautiful large flowers

Silverstar (Cortaderia selloana 'Silverstar')

  • Leaves: Striped green and white, pointed, sharp edges
  • flowers: white
  • Height: 1.50 to 2.00 meters
  • Flowering period: August to October
  • Hardiness: hardy
  • Feature: well suited for the vase

Notice: Young pampas grass plants only flower in their second or third year. Choose a sunny location, spoil the grass with a nutrient-rich substrate and sufficient moisture in summer. You will soon be able to enjoy the flowers.

Sunningdale Silver (Cortaderia selloana 'Sunningdale Silver')

  • Leaves: grey-green, pointed, sharp edges
  • flowers: silvery white
  • Height: 0.90 to 2.50 meters
  • Flowering time: September to October
  • Hardiness: Winter protection required
  • Characteristic: very large panicles of flowers, well suited for the vase

Notice: Sunningdale Silver pampas grass is considered the most beautiful variety.

White Feather (Cortaderia selloana 'White Feather')

  • Leaves: grey-green, strong, rough, pointed
  • flowers: white
  • Height: 1.00 to 1.50 meters
  • Flowering time: September to October
  • Hardiness: Winter protection recommended
  • Feature: high water requirement

frequently asked Questions

Is pampas grass suitable for pot culture?

In particular, the small varieties such as 'Pumila', 'Mini Goldpampas' or 'Alba' are ideal for pot culture. Choose a sufficiently large bucket with a volume of 40 to 50 liters. A drainage layer and well-drained substrate will help prevent waterlogging. Place the plant in a sunny spot. Make sure you stay hydrated in summer.

When is the pampas grass cut back?

Pruning back in early spring stimulates growth and flowering. Remove dry, dead shoots. Preserve the young green leaves. Fall pruning is not required.

Is pampas grass suitable for the vase?

The enchanting fronds of flowers are excellent for drying. Hang the cut flowers upside down to dry for 10 days. Place the dried flowers in the vase. The feathery panicles are decorative individually or in a bouquet. Florists prefer pampas grass to create fall and Christmas arrangements.

When is the best time to plant pampas grass?

At the end of May, after the ice saints, you can plant pampas grass. Young plants are sensitive to cold. Therefore, only plant when there is no longer any danger of night frosts.

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Vegetable garden