Pampas Grass

Cortaderia selloana

Poaceae (Grass Family)

 

▲ mature, flowering plant

▲▼ inflorescences

▲ foliage

Cortaderia selloana:  Pampas Grass

Location near campus:  in ornamental grass bed toward southwest corner of Master Gardener areas north  of Botanical Center Building in Nathanael Green park at the Botanical Center.

·         warm-season grass native to South America, with about ½ to 1 inch wide and 24-36 inch long dark green leaves

·         foliage grows 3-4 feet tall

·         flowering stems are 4-7’ tall and are topped with a dense, creamy-white to pinkish-white, woolly panicle

·         foliage turns tan in winter, panicle bleaches to white

·         prefers moist, well-drained soils and needs full sun for best growth

·         marginally hardy here; usually takes at least one  year after planting to flower

·         can be invasive in southern and western U.S.