Feather Reed Grass Overdam

The inflorescences appear during the summer months, specifically in June, July, and August. They form delicate, initially pinkish to purple panicles, which gradually transition to beige and silvery-gray colors throughout the summer and autumn.

This variety grows to a height of 80 to 130 cm. Its habit (shape) is strictly vertical and tufted. It creates very elegant, slender, and upright clumps. Furthermore, its leaves are beautifully variegated with white (striped), which gives the plant a fresh and striking appearance.

No, this ornamental grass is not poisonous or toxic to humans, dogs, cats, or other domestic animals. The only minor risk is the edges of the leaves, which animals could slightly scratch themselves on during rough play, but there is absolutely no risk of poisoning.

After planting, the seedling requires regular watering until it is properly established. However, once it takes hold in its location, it is very drought-tolerant. It is satisfied with normal rainfall and only needs watering during prolonged summer heatwaves.

The plant is fully hardy, down to approximately -23 °C. It falls into hardiness zone 6a. Therefore, there is no need to specially cover it for the winter with conifer branches or garden fleece. It is completely sufficient to leave the above-ground part unpruned, which will reliably protect the root ball.

The recommended planting spacing is about 50 cm apart. If you are planning a mass planting, count on needing approximately 4 seedlings per square meter. This will ensure the clumps have enough space to grow, while also filling in soon to create a beautiful texture.

Reed grass should be pruned exclusively in the spring, as early as possible, ideally at the end of February or in March. The plant sprouts very early, and if you delay pruning, you could damage the new green shoots. Do not prune the grass before winter. The dry stalks protect the roots from frost and look absolutely stunning in a winter garden, especially under a layer of frost.

This ornamental grass loves sunshine. It thrives best in full sun, where it forms dense, firm, and upright clumps. If you plant it in shade or partial shade, the clumps will soon start to thin out, the stalks will bend, and the plant will lose its characteristic vertical shape.

Calamagrostis 'Overdam' is very low-maintenance, but it thrives best in loamy to sandy, well-drained soil. It can handle both drier and slightly moist spots. Definitely avoid permanently waterlogged soils, as this could lead to root rot.

Yes, you can very successfully grow reed grass in larger containers and flower pots. However, it is necessary to provide a sufficiently deep pot with drainage holes and place a layer of expanded clay (leca) at the bottom for water drainage. When growing in a container, remember to water more frequently and keep in mind that the pot can freeze through in severe frosts. For the winter, it is therefore better to wrap it in burlap or bubble wrap.

Calamagrostis 'Overdam' works great as a vertical architectural element and divides space rhythmically. It complements flowering perennials beautifully, such as Coneflower, Sedum, Helenium, or autumn asters. It also looks elegant in combination with other types of lower ornamental grasses, creating a beautiful, dynamic, and low-maintenance prairie-style bed.

A huge advantage of the 'Overdam' reed grass is that it is an exceptionally healthy and hardy plant. It suffers from practically no common diseases and is not attacked by any pests. For beginner gardeners, it is an absolutely ideal choice with no need to use any sprays.

The best and most common way to propagate this grass is by dividing the clumps. Ideally, perform this task in early spring, before the grass starts to sprout fully. Carefully dig up the entire clump and divide it into several smaller sections using a spade or a sharp knife. Plant these immediately in a new sunny location and water them thoroughly.

The Latin name Calamagrostis was created by combining the Greek words kalamos (reed) and agrostis (a type of grass). This perfectly captures its appearance, as it is a reed-like grass. The 'Overdam' variety is prized all over the world, and thanks to this, it has gained huge popularity among leading landscape architects who constantly use it in modern plantings.

Bending stems and the spreading of clumps are almost always caused by an unsuitable location. If the plant has too much shade, the stems weaken and cannot maintain an upright vertical shape. This problem can also be caused by overly heavy, wet soil or excessive fertilization with nitrogen fertilizers. The solution is to transplant the plant into full sun.

Yes, the inflorescences of this reed grass are very decorative and are perfect for cutting for summer vases. They are also perfect for drying. If you want to dry them for winter decorations, cut the stems just after they bloom while the plumes are still firm, and hang them upside down in a dry, shaded place.