Pampas grass in white is just as eye-catching as a perennial in the garden as it is when dried in a vase. Despite the same flower color, the individual varieties differ greatly in height and flower shape
What varieties of white pampas grass are there?
White pampas grass includes different varieties of Cortaderia selloana, which differ in height and flower shape. Popular varieties include Compacta, Citaro, Pumila, Aurolineata, White Feather and Sunningdale Silver, all prized for their showy white or silver-white flower spikes.
Pampas grass perennials with white flowers
Pampas grass, which originally comes from America, also impresses in this country with a wide variety of different varieties and color variations of the leaves and flower spikes. In addition to simple representatives that appear in white, beige and cream, pink, pink and silver species are also popular ornamental grasses. You can find an overview of the different forms in this article.
The white representatives of Cortaderia selloana represent the most original form of perennials and are therefore particularly widespread. An overview of the best-known genera follows below. We have put together a cross-color summary of all local varieties in this article.
| Name | Growth height | Flower color | Flowering time | Leaf Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compacta | up to 1, 50 meters | cream white | September to October | green |
| Citaro | up to 1, 50 meters | white-yellow | October | green |
| Pumila | up to 1, 50 meters | white | September to October | greygreen |
| Aurolineata | up to 2, 50 meters | silver white | September to October | yellow stripes |
| White Feather | up to 2, 50 meters | silver white | September to October | greygreen |
| Sunningdale Silver | up to 3 meters | silver white | September to October | greygreen |
Compacta:The subspecies Compacta has alower height compared to other varieties, but impresses with its feather-like inflorescences. Especially during the winter, the fronds appear extremely majestic and retain their shape even in frost. In addition to planting in beds, Compacta is also suitable for planting in rock gardens.
Citaro: Due to the dense growth, which is reminiscent of bamboo or reeds, Citaro is primarily suitable for creating hedges and as a privacy screen. The bushy white-yellow flower fronds loosen up the ambience significantly and create a cozy sight. In addition, the ornamental grass is hardy and does not require any additional winter protection.
Pumila: Pumila is particularly valued because of its compact growth habit, which allows it to be planted even when space is limited. The plant requires permeable, nutrient-rich and humus-rich soil. The white flower spikes, which are long compared to their overall size, turn silver over time.
Aurolineata: The Aurolineata variety is characterized primarily by its yellow-striped leaves. The inflorescences have a pleasant contrast with their silver-white color, bushy appearance and a total length of up to 45 centimeters. At the end of the flowering period the color changes to a bronze tone.
White Feather: The highlight of the white feather is its silky silver-white flower fronds, which move like flags in the wind. In combination with the enormous height and the dense evergreen foliage, this genus is a visual eye-catcher. Planting is only recommended as a solitary plant.
Sunningdale Silver: Sunningdale Sillver is one of the particularly tall growing species and requires a lot of area for cultivation. However, it is also possible to plant in groups with low-growing plants such as the candlestick or penstemon. The large and dense silver-white fronds optimally emphasize the gray-green color of the leaves.
A combination of perennials is possible with similar ornamental grasses as well as plants of a different species. Popular planting partners are aster, riding grass, sedum, lavender and coneflower. We have put together further tips and planting examples for you in this article.
Dried pampas grass in white
The white pampas grass can be integrated into any home in combination with a matching vase and other flowers.
But white pampas grass can not only be stylishly decorated for the garden or balcony. The magnificent ornamental grass also offers various possibilities as a decorative element in the home. How to make your own dried flowers can be found in our instructions. However, if you don't want to spend the time on the drying process, you can buy dried pampas grass. You can find an overview of the varieties with the best price-performance ratio here.
There are no limits when it comes to preparing Cortaderia selloana. The dried flowers are often combined with the following varieties to achieve a harmonious overall picture.
- Eucalyptus
- hydrangeas
- Poppies
- Palm leaves
Further information on decorating with ornamental grass can be found here.
Vases for white pampas grass
Selecting the right vase for your flower arrangement is extremely individual. Nevertheless, we will introduce you to two particularly popular variants below. You can find more examples of floor and table vases here.
Pampas grass can be displayed particularly well in large glass floor vases (€59.00 on Amazon). The vase from Mica Decorations impresses with its evenly transparent design. The design object is made entirely of recycled glass and has the typical small air bubbles.
In comparison, the tall table vase from Multistore 2002 with its longitudinal grooves looks much more playful. Beige pampas grass fronds with dried palm leaves go particularly well with the turquoise glass.
Purchasing criteria
In order to enjoy your ornamental grass for as long as possible, it is advisable to pay attention to a few key points when purchasing. The two most important factors, namely the source of supply and the size of the perennial, are explained in more detail below. In addition, you should always examine the plant itself for the following characteristics:
- external injuries to the leaves, flowers, stems or roots?
- Pests or eggs in the substrate or on the undersides of leaves?
- strong, moderately moist root ball?
- fresh plant smell or musty stench?
Source
Cortaderia selloana can be purchased in almost all varieties online from various online shops or in garden shops. When choosing a point of sale, make sure you choose a reputable provider. They recognize this, among other things:
- Possibility of contacting us via hotline, contact form or personal conversation
- Provision of essential information on origin, planting and care
- Indication of quality seals and certificates
The following also applies to online shops:
- Selection between different payment options
- Buyer Protection
- Secure connection (“https://”)
- easy to find terms and conditions and privacy policy
Size of the perennial
The space available plays a crucial role when deciding on the right subspecies of pampas grass. In principle, tall-growing varieties require significantly more space in width than their rather short relatives. Particularly large specimens of the perennial should therefore be planted in isolation with a planting distance of at least 1 to 1.2 meters from other plants. You can find additional information on compliance with the open spaces in this article.
In addition, not all species are suitable for container planting due to the limited space available. To do this, rely in particular on rather low-growing plants that only increase in volume to a limited extent in width. You can also find detailed tips on planting and caring for potted plants here.
FAQ
Which vases go well with white pampas grass?
Basically, there are no limits to your choice of vase. However, the height of the vessel should be adjusted to the length of the stalks in order to create a harmonious image. We have put together some decorative examples for you here.
What do you use to dye the white fronds of pampas grass?
The inflorescences of dried pampas grass can be changed to any color using acrylic paint. To do this, the desired color is diluted with water to create a homogeneous emulsion. The dry frond is then bathed in this. With the help of a brush, hard-to-reach areas can be recolored selectively. Finally, the ornamental grass should be hung upside down to dry for at least an hour.
How big does white pampas grass get?
The height of white pampas grass varies depending on the variety selected. Small-growing varieties such as Compacta or Citaro only reach a height of around 1.5 meters. In contrast, Sunningdale Silver reaches a maximum overall size of up to 3 meters. Therefore, pay attention to the type when purchasing in order to estimate the space required.
Which types of pampas grass have white fronds?
The species Aureolineata, Citaro, Compacta, Pumila, Sunningdale Silver and White Feather have white flower spikes with slight color accents.
Are there varieties of pampas grass with pure white fronds?
Cortaderia selloana only appears very rarely with pure white fronds. A suitable variety that is particularly suitable for dyeing is Pumila.