Pampas Grass
(Cortaderia selloana)
Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana)
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Forest and Kim Starr
CC BY 2.0
Image By:
Forest and Kim Starr
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Copyright:
CC BY 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Forest and Kim Starr | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: Starr Environmental | Publisher: Flickr
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Cortaderia selloana, commonly known as Pampas Grass, is a tall, perennial grass native to the grasslands and open woodlands of southern South America, particularly the Pampas region. It is a fast-growing plant that can reach up to 10 feet (3 meters) in height and 6 feet (1.8 meters) in width, with a dense, clumping habit. Pampas Grass is known for its large, feathery, white to pinkish plumes that appear in late summer and persist into winter, adding a dramatic visual effect to the landscape. The foliage is a gray or blue-green color and consists of sharp-edged blade-like leaves that can cause cuts if not handled with care.
Pampas Grass is valued for its showy plumes, which are often used in dried floral arrangements. It is commonly used as a specimen plant, for mass plantings, or as a privacy screen due to its size. This grass is adaptable to a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage, and it is drought-tolerant once established. It requires full sun to thrive and maintain its best form. While it has low maintenance needs, the plant should be divided every few years to rejuvenate growth. Due to its invasive nature, it is important to manage and prevent its spread by removing seed heads before they disperse.CC BY-SA 4.0
Pampas Grass is valued for its showy plumes, which are often used in dried floral arrangements. It is commonly used as a specimen plant, for mass plantings, or as a privacy screen due to its size. This grass is adaptable to a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage, and it is drought-tolerant once established. It requires full sun to thrive and maintain its best form. While it has low maintenance needs, the plant should be divided every few years to rejuvenate growth. Due to its invasive nature, it is important to manage and prevent its spread by removing seed heads before they disperse.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 6-10 feet
- Width: 4-6 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Border Plant, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Salt Tolerant
Natural Habitat
Grasslands and open woodlands of southern South America
Other Names
Common Names: Pampas Grass , Pampasgrass , Silwergras , Herbe De La Pampa , Pampasgräs , Capim-Penacho , Paina , Pluma , Cana-Dos-Pampas , Cortadeira
Scientific Names: Cortaderia selloana , Gynerium purpureum , Gynerium argenteum , Cortaderia argentea , Cortaderia dioica , Arundo dioeca , Arundo dioica , Arundo kila , Arundo selloana , Cortaderia dioeca
GBIF Accepted Name: Cortaderia selloana (Schult. & Schult.f.) Asch. & Graebn.