Cortaderia
Cortaderia selloana
Not a friendly plant, for all its presence — the leaf edges cut skin, and dead thatch left in the clump is a real fire risk.
Light Full sun is not negotiable.
Water Drought-tolerant once established.
Height 2.5 m
Spread 5 ft 11 in
Spacing 180 cm
Spacing & sowing
- Plant spacing
- 5 ft 11 in
- In-row spacing
- 5 ft 11 in
- Between rows
- 7 ft 5 in
- Square-foot density
- Not suited to SFG
Growing
- Type
- Grass · Perennial
- Botanical family
- Mixed / other
- Sunlight
- Full sun is not negotiable.
- Watering
- Drought-tolerant once established.
- Feeding
- No feeding needed.
- Frost tolerant
- Yes
- Flowering
- August
- Pruning
- Cut back to 30-45 cm in late March.
Through the year
- Apr–Aug Spring Growth
- Aug–Oct Flowering
- Oct–Dec Growing
- Dec–Dec Leaf Fall
- Jan–Apr Leaf Fall
Companions
Miscanthus, Verbena bonariensis, Crocosmia, Phormium
Pests & problems
- Razor-sharp leaf edges — gloves and long sleeves, every time.
- Dead material building up in the clump, which is a fire hazard.
- Can turn invasive in mild coastal areas.
The Cottage Garden Companion — the gardener's herbarium at cottagegardencompanion.com