Grasses – Pampas Grass (Cortaderia Selloana)
Cortaderia Selloana, commonly known as pampas grass, is a tall grass native to southern South America, including the pampas after which it is known in Patagonia. Here it is the premier wild grass. It is very tough and adaptable, but prefers a sunny spot, with good air circulation and a reasonably fertile well-drained soil.
Pampas grass adds interest to the garden from September to February, as this is when its feathery plumes grow high above the dense clump of foliage. The grassy leaves are evergreen, coarse and edged with sharp teeth, which are capable of inflicting a nasty cut. This feature makes it suitable for planting as an intruder deterrent along a boundary. The leaves are usually bluish green, but can also be silvery grey.
The plant forms a dense clump of foliage, from which the flower spikes begin to form in midsummer. The plumes eventually open completely when the stems are almost fully extended, and range in colour from silvery white to buff depending on the cultivar.
Growing Requirements
Soil
Cortaderia Selloana prefers fertile well-drained soil. It does not like to be too wet and is incredibly drought tolerant.
Size
Pampas grass forms a large mass of foliage 3 to 4ft (90 to 120cm) high and around 5 to 6ft (150 to 180cm) across. The long, slender leaves are 3 to 6.5ft (1 to 2m) long and the flower plumes grow to 8 to 16in (20 to 40cm) on top of a 6.5 to 10ft (2 to 3m) tall stem.
Propagation
Divide a section of the plant from the parent, using a sharp spade, in either spring or autumn. Then put into a pot or plant directly into prepared garden soil.
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Cortaderia
Tags: cortaderia selloana, garden plant, grasses, ornamental garden plant, pampas grass, patagonia
