Pampas grass comes in three different sizes - small, normal and large - and three different colors that change depending on the season: white, beige and pink. Depending on the variety, the planting conditions change. Dwarf pampas grass is particularly suitable for planting in containers, while very tall pampas grass can be used to create a hedge.
What types of pampas grass are there?
Pampas grass varieties vary in size (small, normal, large) and color (white, beige, pink). Popular varieties include Evita, Pumila, Tiny Pampa (small); Pink Feather, Rosea, Scarlet Wonder (pink); Sunningdale Silver, Silver Comet, Silverstar (large); and White Feather, Citaro, Aureolineata (white).
Is there hardy pampas grass?
Pampas grassconsidered hardy The popular ornamental grass hibernates carefree at temperatures down to -17 °C. In order for the plant to shoot up again in spring, some protective measures must still be taken in autumn. Because excessive moisture can cause rot in the nest. And freezing moisture structurally destroys the sensitive heart of the perennial. How practical that pampas grass already has a natural umbrella.
Plants in beds and pots are tied together in a knot or braided in autumn. To do this, the stalks and flower stems are completely surrounded and secured with straps. Rainwater then flows down the side of the structure and seeps into the ground. In the bed, additional leaves and brushwood are distributed around the pampas grass. Potted plants are also placed on wooden boards to avoid the cold of the ground. The pot is placed in a jute bag (€24.00 on Amazon) or wrapped in bubble wrap.
Small varieties
Small pampas grass is considered such if its height does not exceed150 centimeters. These small varieties are suitable for planting in containers. To ensure species-appropriate husbandry, the size of the pot must be taken into account. It should have a diameter of at least 40 centimeters and hold 40 liters. On the other hand, the soil must be permeable and nutrient-rich.
Due to its sharp-edged leaves, even small varieties are not suitable for the balcony and certainly not for the balcony box. Pampas grass can only find enough space on very large south-facing balconies. But the small pampas grass feels much more comfortable in the bed. A sunny stone bed is also an ideal location.
| Name | Growth height | Flower color | Flowering time | Leaf Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evita | 60 – 80 cm | whitegolden | August to October | teal |
| Pumila | 50 – 120 cm | white (silvery) | September to October | greygreen |
| Tiny Pampa | 60 – 80 cm | cream white | July to September | green |
Pink varieties
Pink pampas grass is the feminine star in the sweet grass family. These varieties are rather large plants. Their pink-red flower spikes give the garden a certain tenderness in late summer. Despite its relative rarity, pink pampas grass remains easy to care for, but is not recommended for containers due to its height.
| Name | Growth height | Flower color | Flowering time | Leaf Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pink Feather | 100 – 120 cm | light pink | September to November | greygreen |
| Rosea | 130 – 180 cm | pink | September to October | green |
| Scarlet Wonder | 150 – 250 cm | pink red | September to November | light green |
Large varieties
The large varieties include pampas grasses with a growth height ofover 150 centimeters The flower stalks sometimes reach 250 centimeters and therefore tower over every hobby gardener. Planted in a row, the large varieties create an attractive hedge. You have to keep in mind that the privacy screen is shortened to 15 centimeters in spring. But because large varieties grow at record-breaking rates, pruning only partially reduces this benefit.
Large varieties are completely unsuitable for pots because their roots require too much space. But even in the bed, no arbitrary location can be chosen. The sweet grass does not tolerate waterlogging or permanent shade. If the plant is happy with its location, it rewards the gardener with particularly voluminous flower stands.
| Name | Growth height | Flower color | Flowering time | Leaf Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunningdale Silver | 90 – 250 cm | silver white | September to November | teal |
| Silver Comet | 100 – 150 cm | white | August to November | grey-green, edged with white |
| Silverstar | 150 – 200 cm | white | September to October | green-white stripes |
White varieties
White pampas grass forms strikingly bright cloudy flowers. They are therefore particularly in demand among florists and in modern interior design. The flower stalks are harvested in late summer and then dried. As a dried flower bouquet, wreath or loose in a vase, they bring timeless elegance to living rooms around the world. It is also possible to dye the dried flowers in the desired color.
| Name | Growth height | Flower color | Flowering time | Leaf Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Feather | 90- 250 cm | silver white | September to October | greygreen |
| Citaro | 200 – 250 cm | whiteyellow | August to November | green |
| Aureolineata | 90 – 250 cm | silver white | September to October | golden green stripes |
Colorful pampas grass – blue, red, purple, pink
Fake and misleading images of exotic pampas grass colors can often be found on the Internet. Here, for example, B. the bright colors are digitally inserted.
The full name of the popular ornamental grass is 'American pampas grass' or in Latin 'Cortaderia selloana'. It belongs to the genus 'Cortaderia'. In addition to the American pampas grass, this genus includes around 20 other species that are similar to our ornamental plant, but differ in many aspects - for example in growth and flower color. There are species that grow much larger and others produce purple flowers (jubata grass).
Unfortunately, pampas grass species other than Cortaderis selloana are sold online. Dubious online retailers advertise with the unique selling point that their pampas grass produces blue, red, purple or pink flowers. However, this is misleading, as pampas grass only has white, beige/brown and pink panicles. In addition, the images that suggest bright flower colors are often digitally edited or faked. Whether and how other species even grow in this country is unknown. Seeds and seedlings should therefore always be purchased from trustworthy dealers.
FAQ
Is pink pampas grass hardy?
Pink pampas grass is about as hardy as white and brown pampas grass. It tolerates frost but is sensitive to moisture. Therefore, pink pampas grass must be protected from moisture in winter.
Which is the smallest pampas grass?
'Evita' and 'Tiny Pampa' are among the smallest pampas grass varieties with a maximum height of 80 centimeters.
What colors does pampas grass come in?
Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana), which is used as an ornamental grass in this country, blooms in the colors white, beige/brown and pink.
How many types of pampas grass are there?
There are over a hundred sub-varieties of pampas grass, although only a fraction is offered in this country. At most retailers the selection includes between two and 20 varieties.
Which pampas grass is the largest?
The cultivars 'Scarlet Wonder', 'Sunningdale Silver', 'Weiße Feder', 'Citaro' and 'Aureolineata' are among the largest pampas grass varieties with a height of 250 centimeters. Every now and then some specimens reach a height of up to 300 centimeters.
