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First, let’s take a look at Calamagrostis x. “Karl Forester’ also known as Feather Reed Grass (pictured above). This grass has deep green, shiny foliage with loose, feathery, pinkish plumes that appear in early summer. As the plumes mature they turn to a golden tan color that lasts through the fall season. This is more of a vertical grass than a mounding grass and reaches to about 2 to 3 feet tall (5 feet with plumes). It’s narrow, upright form is about 18 inches wide.
Feather Reed Grass is a long blooming, low maintenance, long-lived perennial grass for a full sun to partial shady area. It grows well in hardiness zones 4-9 and prefers fertile, well drained soils with sufficient moisture. It will also tolerate heavier clay soils and drier sites. Like most ornamental grasses it is usually free of serious disease or pest problems. Best of all, it will not reseed all over your garden.
‘Karl Forester’ works beautifully in the garden as a specimen plant. Use it to make a spectacular show in your late season garden by combining it with Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Coreopsis and Sedum Autumn Joy. It also works wonderfully in container plantings.
 Now for the 2009 Perennial Plant of the Year, Hakonechloa Macra ‘Aureola’ (to the right), also known as Japanese Forest Grass. What a beauty! This grass has arching green and yellow striped foliage and reaches 12-18 inches tall and 18 inches wide. During the fall season, the foliage will turn pinkish-red.
Japanese Forest Grass requires little maintenance, has few insect or disease problems and is not a favorite of deer. It prefers moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. It grows well in hardiness zones 5-8. Here in the south, this grass will have a more striking golden foliage if planted in a mostly shaded area. It is a slow spreader, so it will not need to be divided for many years and it will not be a threat to other companion plants.
This slow growing, non-invasive grass looks fantastic when planted with golden edged or bluish colored hostas. It looks great with any purple or dark leafed plant such as Heuchera (Coral Bells), or Ajuga (Bugle Weed). It’s golden arching form, which resembles a cascading miniature Bamboo, makes it an excellent choice for an Asian-style garden. It would also work well in a tropical setting or in an evening garden.
>> Tip: Calamagrostis ‘Karl Forester’ will definitely be easier to find in the Raleigh area. Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureloa’ is slow to get started, making it more difficult to find and a little more expensive.
Be sure to try these two award winning perennial ornamental grasses in your garden. You won’t be disappointed!
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