There are three varieties to choose from when planting pink pampas grass in the garden: Rosea, Rosa Feder and Scarlet Wonder. For a more pronounced pink to pink, perennials such as the Miscanthus “Pink Flamingo” should be included in your choice of perennials.
What varieties of pink pampas grass are there?
Pink pampas grass comes in three varieties: Rosea, Rosa Feder and Scarlet Wonder. These ornamental grasses impress with their color-changing fronds, are hardy and are suitable as decorative plants in gardens or containers.
Hardy pampas grass in pink and pink
Compared to common pampas grass, the pink variations are characterized by color-changed fronds. As a rule, the plants are just as hardy as their white relatives. Some of the most famous representatives of pink inflorescences are listed below.
The pink grasses are usually medium to tall growing varieties that reach a minimum height of 1.7 meters. Small-growing varieties such as dwarf pampas grass with pink flower fronds have not yet been bred.
Pink Feather
Cortaderia selloana in the Rosa Feder variety impresses with its light pink flowers, which begin to bloom in clusters from September. At the end of the flowering period in November, they turn light brown. With a height of up to 1.5 meters, the species is one of the medium-tall plants. Accordingly, planting as a solitary plant or in a group planting is possible.
Like almost all subspecies of pampas grass, the pink feather prefers humus-rich and well-drained soil. The ornamental grass tolerates waterlogging very poorly, which is why it should only be watered moderately. During the winter, irrigation should be stopped completely and the sensitive heart of the plant should be additionally protected. You can buy pink feathers from the Horstmann tree nursery, for example, using this link. Further information on watering pampas grass can be found here.
Rosea
Rosea is one of the pink variations of pampas grass that is rarely found in this country. This is due, among other things, to the growth height of up to 1.8 meters and the space required. The Rosea is only suitable as a solitary plant and should be planted at a distance of at least 1.5 meters from other plants.
The usually bushy growth is rounded off by the long, dense flower panicles arranged like a fan, which are colored a light pink. The flowering period from September to October is also very short and the fronds quickly change color to a light brown tone.
This rarity is available for 23.99 euros at the following link. Rosea originally comes from the South American countries of Argentina and Brazil and therefore only tolerates frost to a limited extent. To protect your plant from frost damage, we recommend installing winter protection.
Scarlet Wonder
The Scarlet Wonder variety displays its pink flowers in linearly arranged fronds from September to November. In comparison to other species of Cortaderia selloana, the stalks of the plant are covered with elongated leaves up to just below the panicles. This makes Scarlet Wonder appear very bushy and sprawling with a growth height of up to 2.5 meters. For this reason, this is primarily suitable as a solitary plant, but can also be transplanted in a group after regular pruning. Suitable planting partners are the genera Rosa and Juniperus. You can buy Scarlet Wonder here.
To develop the protruding flower fronds, pampas grass requires consistent fertilization during the growth phase from May to August. Ideally, at the beginning of the fertilization period, it is advisable to apply a slow-release fertilizer that continuously releases nutrients to the soil and the plant over several weeks. Further information on the correct fertilization of ornamental grasses can be found in this article.
Dwarf pampas grass
The dwarf pampas grass differs from the aforementioned species primarily in its height. The short-growing varieties usually do not reach a height of 1.5 meters. There is currently no pink variety, which is why dwarf pampas grass is usually found in a simple white or cream tone. Nevertheless, they represent a useful addition to the creation of magnificent flower arrangements.
The care conditions of the dwarf genera do not differ significantly from those of their larger relatives. Due to the lower growth height, the plants usually require less space in width and can therefore be planted next to each other with a smaller planting distance of 0.8 to 1.0 meters.
Dried pampas grass for decoration
Pink pampas grass is not only suitable as a highlight for flower beds or pots, but also in dried form as a decorative element. In particular, the colorful and shapely flower fronds can be preserved for a long period of time by drying. Thanks to the different color gradations from light pink to a strong pink, an arrangement made only of the aforementioned ornamental grasses is a visual eye-catcher. Nevertheless, a combination with different colored ornamental grasses or plants of a different species is also possible.
You can find detailed instructions for drying your own flower spikes here. However, if you don't have your own pampas grass, you can also purchase the dried stalks online, for example from Pretty Lovely Things, using this link.
Planting and overwintering pink pampas grass
Both the planting and overwintering of pink pampas grasses are no different from those of other colored species. However, there are slight differences in terms of the type of planting selected, i.e. pot or bed planting.
Plant in a pot and overwinter
When planting grasses in pots, care must be taken, especially with regard to waterlogging, which is dangerous for the roots. Therefore, when selecting the planter, it is important to ensure that it contains enough drainage holes on the bottom and has a minimum filling volume of 40 liters. This is followed by the next steps, which are explained in more detail in the linked instructions.
- Pour a layer of gravel or expanded clay at a height of 10 to 15 centimeters
- Place the seedling in the middle of the container
- Fill the free space with grass soil or a mixture of sand and soil
- Press the plant well
Due to the limited space, there is a risk of the root ball of Cortaderia selloana freezing, especially in harsh winters, if protective measures are not taken. In addition to tying the shoots together with a ribbon, the above-ground parts of the plant should also be protected in addition to the pot.
To keep out the cold, we recommend covering the pot with a jute bag and placing it in a place protected from the weather. Styrofoam plates, wooden boards or bamboo mats are also suitable as additional protection against ground frost. You should cover the above-ground parts, which include the heart of the plant, with leaves, brushwood or straw. On the one hand, these keep the cool out and also offer effective protection against moisture. Further additional tips for wintering are summarized in this article.
Plant in the bed and overwinter
When planting pampas grass in a bed, pay particular attention to the minimum distance from other plants. The ornamental grass develops a dense and extensive root system within a very short time, which requires sufficient space. A planting distance of one meter should therefore never be less than one meter. For tall grasses, you should also consider further spacing in relation to the growth width. You can also find further tips on plant spacing in this report.
The same factors are relevant for overwintering as for potted plants. You should tie the stalks of the ornamental grass upright with a ribbon. This gives the shoots a high level of stability and protects them from damage caused by wind or snow. In addition, the lower parts of the plant must be protected by piling up leaves and brushwood. In addition to simply tying it together, weaving pampas grass can also be considered as a creative method. Hardy plants also benefit from these additional protective measures by reducing the weather-related stress.
More grasses in pink and pink
It's not just the pampas grass that offers pink and pink highlights for your garden. Other grasses such as miscanthus or miscanthus also provide an unusual color design in your bed.
Miscanthus “Flamingo”
The Flamingo variety of Miscanthus sinensis, as its name suggests, impresses with flamingo-colored ears. The flowering period begins in early autumn and ends in October. The flowers turn a dark shade of red over the course of autumn, creating a pleasant contrast to the evergreen leaves. With a maximum height of 1.7 meters, the miscanthus reaches an acceptable size, which enables both solitary planting and group planting. You can find a complete profile including a purchase option for the impressive ornamental grass on this page.
The selected location should be in full sun, which also has a nutrient-rich, humus-rich and water-permeable substrate. In principle, cultivation in a bucket is also possible. However, this should be of sufficient size to provide the plant with enough space for growth. Special winter protection is generally not necessary due to the high frost resistance down to -23 degrees Celsius.
Miscanthus “Boucle”
The Boucle genus of Miscanthus is particularly impressive because of the striking shape of its flower fronds. In comparison to many other ornamental grasses, these are still rolled up at the beginning of the flowering period and only develop their full size over time. The approximately 1 meter long stalks are surrounded by green leaves with a white central line. While the flower fronds take on a paler pink color over time, the leaves shine a striking orange in autumn.
The ornamental grass tolerates both full sun and partial shade. However, the plant should not be too dark, as this reduces the formation of the flower fronds. In addition, the plant is extremely low-maintenance and requires little water and fertilizer. Regular pruning in spring should still be carried out in order to achieve continuous rejuvenation of the shoots. Additional information about this special grass can be found here.
FAQ
What colors does pampas grass come in?
The majority of varieties feature white, cream or beige flowers. However, silver and pink color variations now also exist through breeding. Thanks to the large color spectrum, an attractive accent can also be achieved with pampas grass alone.
How to overwinter pink pampas grass?
The pink pampas grass is overwintered just like its other colored relatives. For specimens transplanted into pots, both the planter and the above-ground parts of the plant should be protected. For bedding plants, covering the lower areas with leaves, brushwood or straw is sufficient.
Is there dwarf pampas grass in pink?
The dwarf pampas grass is currently not available in pink. The short variety is currently only available in white or cream. However, as new species are bred, a pink variant can also be expected in the future.
Where can you buy pink pampas grass?
Pink or fuchsia pampas grass can be purchased both in well-stocked garden stores and online. Corresponding online shops include Baldur-Garten, the Palmenmann or the Horstmann tree nursery.
Difference between Pampas Grass Pink Feather, Rosea and Scarlet Wonder?
In addition to the maximum height that can be achieved (Pink Feather: 1.5 meters, Rosea: 1.8 meters, Scarlet Wonder: 2.5 meters), the three aforementioned varieties also differ in the color intensity and design of the inflorescences. While the Rosa Feder has graceful fronds, Rosea impresses with a fan-like arrangement and Scarlet Wonder with linear flower spikes.