Species Pickering's Reed Bentgrass
dark-brown foliage and stems

Pickering's Reed Bentgrass

Calamagrostis pickeringii

Pickering's Reed Bentgrass (Calamagrostis pickeringii) is a perennial grass native to several areas in western North America, from British Columbia through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Its foliage is a bright blue green with distinctive pointed leaves, and its flowers are silvery-white tufts. It prefers sunny, medium-wet sites, making it popular for use in wetland restoration projects. Pickering's Reed Bentgrass is also valued as an ornamental for its texture and vibrant colors, and it's easy to maintain with occasional mowing. Its long-lived clumps spread up to three feet in diameter, providing both visual interest and important habitat for local wildlife.

Watering:

Frequent

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

Sun

Soil:

Sand

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,tan

Growth Rate:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Plains Reedgrass (Calamagrostis montanensis) should be watered deeply once a week during hot, dry weather. When watering, it is important to soak the soil to the root zone, approximately 8-10 inches deep. During cool weather, watering can be reduced, but during hot weather it is important to keep it consistently moist, without over-saturating the soil. In addition to regular watering, give the grass an occasional deep soaking--no more than once a month--to help the roots reach deeper into the soil. Following regular watering, allow the grass to dry completely, which helps to stave off disease.

sunlight

Plains Reedgrass requires full sun to partial shade for optimal growth and development. It should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. The optimal amount of sunlight is 8-10 hours of direct sunlight each day. The best time for Plains Reedgrass to receive the most sunlight is from mid-morning to late afternoon. Avoid direct sunlight in the early morning and late evening as this can scorch the plant.

pruning

Plains Reedgrass (Calamagrostis montanensis) should be pruned once a year in fall or winter. Generally, cut the tips of the old flowering stems down to the basal foliage. This will promote new growth and allow the plant to maintain a tidy appearance. Additionally, pruning away the dead and damaged stems can help the plant to better retain moisture and increase the overall health of the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

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