Ornamental Pampas Grass

Consider adding height and softness to your garden with pampas grasses. Pampas grass originating from areas of South America is one of the most recognized ornamental grasses that will give your landscape a special distinction adding height with a soft airy feeling. Pampas grass forms impressive clumps that can reach up to ten feet tall, and in late summer produce very large white or pinkish plumes that are alone three feet long. They can look magnificent when blowing in a light breeze.

Being from South America, it is no surprise this grass loves full sun and are drought tolerant. The soil in which they grow should provide adequate drainage. A layer of mulch, up to four inches deep needs to be placed around the base of the plant to reduce competition from weeds and helps conserve moisture in the soil. Organic mulches are the preferred. If desired, avoid pruning the stems and plumes in the fall to add interest for your winter landscape. Do cut the plants back to the ground in spring before growth begins. For the most part fertilizer is not necessary. If your soil is very poor, using an all-purpose garden fertilizer in spring will help.

If propagation is desired, then divide clumps in the spring after the grasses are cut down to the ground. They are hardy plants, and older, more progressed clumps may require an axe, saw, or spade. If you are starting out with seed, sow the seeds in spring either in the garden or inside in a moist seed-starting mix.

If portions of the plant have spotted leaves, the plant may be suffering from fungal disease. Fungal disease is usually started with moisture not evaporating in proper time. Especially after mid-afternoon, avoid wetting the plants' foliage. It is also helpful to divide plants so that the clumps do not become especially large. In this way the plants will receive good airflow, which also discourages fungal rot diseases.

Several species of grasses are sometimes mistaken for pampas grass. A special property of pampas grass is that the edges of the leaves are sharp, and can cut gardeners who do not take care to wear gloves when working around them. Since pampas grass can very easily spread its seeds widely, the plant is considered a pest in some parts of the country, including areas of Southern California.

Sometimes called pink pampas grass, Cortaderia selloana ‘Rosea' has silvery plumes in late summer containing a definite pink tinge. Growing to about ten feet tall with silvery-white plumes in late summer Cortaderia selloana ‘Sunningdale Silver' has plumes that tend to hold up better to bad weather than many other pampas grasses. Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila' grows to about six feet tall and has silvery-white plumes in late summer. Cortaderia selloana ‘Monvin' or Sun Stripe also grows to about six feet tall and has silvery-white plumes in late summer, but the difference is that the foliage is striped with yellow.

Dayelle Swensson is an avid writer for the web on a number of topics. Having gardened herself for many years, she is able to advise others about a variety of things including gardening tips, lawn and tree care, watering, hose reel and keeping your home garden looking attractive and healthy.