How tall does pampas grass grow

See Table 1 for a list of several common cultivars. Pampas grass bears male and female flowers on separate plants. The plumes of female plants are broad and full due to silky hairs covering the tiny flowers. They are much showier than the plumes of male plants, which lack silky hairs on their flowers.

For that reason, most pampas grass is propagated vegetatively, by dividing a female clump. Propagation from seed can result in genetic variability and the less attractive male form.

When propagated from seed, there is no way to know whether the plant is male or female until it flowers. When used correctly in the landscape, pampas grass is an attractive and functional plant, particularly in groups of three to five plants in the background of a perennial border.

It is a great plant for stabilizing erodible banks. It also can be used as a focal point in the landscape, providing color and textural contrast to nearby plants. However, avoid planting pampas grass close to buildings because it can be a fire hazard when old foliage dies and becomes dry. Pampas grass grows and flowers best in full sun, or at least a half day of direct sunlight. Once established, it is low-maintenance, drought tolerant, deer tolerant and has few pest problems.

It also tolerates salt spray, making it an ideal plant for coastal landscapes. Common pampas grass is hardy in zone 8 Coastal Plain , and is marginally hardy in zones 6 and 7 Piedmont region. In the upper Piedmont and mountainous areas of north Georgia, consider planting more cold-hardy cultivars see Table 1 and Figure 1.

More References 4. About This Article. Co-authored by:. Co-authors: Updated: May 21, Categories: Growing Grasses. Article Summary X If you want to grow pampas grass, start by planting the seeds in soil and watering them lightly so they don't wash away. Deutsch: Pampasgras ziehen. Nederlands: Pampasgras kweken. Bahasa Indonesia: Menanam Rumput Pampas. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read , times.

I have been stumbling in deciding my course of action, and I also gained a tip pointing me where in my yard to plant. We have cold winters, but I bet I could double mulch the base, use grass clippings. More reader stories Hide reader stories. Did this article help you? Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Judy Fletcher Oct 8, Sue Mack Jun 26, At least I hope it's my pampas grass, definitely doesn't look like our regular grass in the yard.

Hoping for good results. Rita J. Goodin Aug 16, This helped me know how to take care of it when it starts growing. I think pampas grass is beautiful. Rated this article:. Jerri Pierson Aug 13, This article was illustrated and described clearly.

Chris Gervais May 20, Loved the planting video. Will order seeds tomorrow. Great info. Thanks, guys. Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

Follow Us. Though still technically an invasive species, pampas grass can be controlled with some effort and is the one variety that offers those gorgeously fluffy plumes and handsome charm. Though typically known for its soft, creamy flowers, pampas grass also grows in a gorgeous silver-pink color.

With that in mind, consider whether you want the pink variety to add a dash of color or the famously fluffy white pampas grass plumes that add that wild and windswept look. When pampas grass is planted too close together, it tends to grow in a knotted mess that serves as an ugly blight in your otherwise gorgeous garden. Pampas grass grows best when it receives lots of direct sunlight. Pampas grass is an incredibly tough plant that adapts well to most environments, but it definitely prefers bright, sunny spots.

As such, experts recommend that you choose a spot in your garden that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. On a different note, consider the self-sewing nature of pampas grass. As the temperature rises, the grass begins to flourish, producing those tall, 10 — 13ft plumes within a few months so that you can enjoy the full effect of your ornamental grass by the summer.

Before then, you can add preparing the seedlings onto your list of gardening tasks for the winter months. Potting the seeds in your greenhouse gives them ample opportunity to germinate and develop into hardy seedlings which will produce better results once transferred to your garden.

Getting the right kind of soil is vital to successfully growing pampas grass. Chose a well-draining option for best results. It may sound obvious to some, but so many inexperienced gardeners underestimate what a big difference the right kind of soil can make to the long-term health of plants. With damp, heavy soil, try adding some lightweight compost mix. If you have dry, thin soil in your garden, mix it with plenty of substantially rotted organic matter such as bark mulch.

We prefer the natural, chemical-free sand from FairmountSantrol , though any natural quartz sand will suffice. If you live in a region that receives a lot of rainfall, this inexpensive mineral will prove invaluable in preventing water-logging which would otherwise damage your pampas grass.

Use a hose to spray your grass with plenty of water immediately after growing. There are some types of plants that require almost no watering once planted in the soil. Resistant to most diseases and tolerant of even the driest growing conditions, pampas grass presents few problems, other than its tendency to self-seed and spread where it is not wanted. If the plant is becoming too large, it can be divided in early spring.

In hot countries where wildfires are a risk, it is advised that this highly flammable plant should be grown away from houses and outbuildings to reduce fire hazard.

Whether you want to grow pampas grass from seeds or prefer the idea of planting out a small plant straight in the garden, there are plenty of striking options to choose from. Use our quicklinks below to buy now, or keep scrolling to check out some of our favourite varieties to try in your garden. Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila' from Waitrose Garden This variety has silvery-yellow flower plumes in late summer above bushy mounds of mid-green leaves.

It's a hardy variety that likes fertile, well drained soil. It's compact growing to 1. Delivered in a two litre pot. Then give this colourful mix a go. These seeds include a mixture of creamy white and pale pink plumed plants, perfect for the back of a border and screening ugly fencing. August-flowering, it has fluffy, silvery plumes on top of grass-like evergreen foliage.

Cortaderia Pink Pampas from Burpee This has large silky plumes from early summer to mid-autumn. Colors will range from a subtle pink beige to sand-pink and even light salmon pink.

It can work well as a dried flower and will make a striking arrangement in your arrangements. An experienced freelance journalist, editor and columnist writing for national magazines and websites, Fiona now specialises in gardens.

She enjoys finding and writing about all kinds, from the tiniest town plots to impressively designed ones in grand country houses. The small town garden of her Edwardian terraced house is currently a work in progress as she renovates the property, but her goal is always to fill it with flowers, climbers, colour, fragrance — and as many of her treasured vintage finds as she can possibly fit in.

Plants Planning to plant your orchid in a nice planter? You may want to reconsider, according to experts.