Pampas grass: 16 beautiful varieties for the garden

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Pampas grass varieties - titles

table of contents

  • The favorite among the ornamental grasses
  • Varieties from A - L
  • Varieties from M - R
  • Varieties from S - Z
  • frequently asked Questions

Dense clumps and silky panicles of flowers in soft colors characterize the pampas grass, which comes from South America. More and more hobby gardeners are being enchanted by the beautiful ornamental grass. We present 16 varieties.

In a nutshell

  • Pampas grass is native to South America
  • forms dense clumps
  • Growth height up to three meters
  • large panicles of flowers, visible from afar, on tall, stable stems


The favorite among the ornamental grasses

The pampas grass, which comes from South America, has taken the hearts of garden designers by storm. The decorative tufts of feathers in silver, yellow or delicate pink appear on many properties in late summer. Even outside of the flower, the grass looks attractive with its light green, partly frosted or patterned leaves. With a height of up to three meters, the plants cannot be overlooked.
If you want to enjoy the decorative ornamental grass for a long time, you have to pay attention to your requirements:

  • Location: warm and sunny
  • Soil quality: well-drained, humic, sandy to loamy
  • Watering: in dry conditions, avoid waterlogging
  • Fertilization: compost in spring
  • Cut: Cut back in spring

Varieties from A - L

Alba (Cortaderia selloana 'Alba')

Alba (Cortaderia selloana 'Alba')
Source: Forest & Kim Starr, Rigid-091209-0420-Cortaderia selloana-flower plumes-Kula-Maui (24898666241), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 3.0 US
  • Leaves: gray-green
  • Flowers: white
  • Height: 0.50 to 0.70 meters
  • Flowering period: September to November
  • Winter hardiness: winter protection required
  • Feature: suitable for bucket culture

Evita (Cortaderia selloana 'Evita')

Cortaderia selloana 'Evita'
  • Leaves: gray-green, narrow, pointed
  • Flowers: light yellow
  • Height: 1.00 to 1.50 meters
  • Flowering period: August to October
  • Winter hardiness: hardy
  • Special features: spreading growth

Attention: The leaves of the pampas grass are pointed and razor sharp. Don't plant it near your children's play areas.

Golden Fantasy (Cortaderia selloana 'Golden Fantasy')

  • Leaves: dark green, robust
  • Flowers: white
  • Height: 1.00 to 1.50 meters
  • Flowering period: August to November
  • Winter hardiness: winter protection required
  • Characteristic: spreading growth

Liliput (Cortaderia selloana 'Liliput')

Pampas grass `Lilliput` variety
  • Leaves: gray-green
  • Flowers: white
  • Height: 0.80 to 1.00 meters
  • Flowering period: September to November
  • Winter hardiness: winter protection recommended
  • Characteristic: grows very broad

Varieties from M - R

Mini gold pampas (Cortaderia selloana 'Mini gold pampas')

  • Leaves: gray-green, pointed
  • Flowers: golden yellow
  • Height: 0.50 to 1.20 meters
  • Flowering period: September to November
  • Winter hardiness: hardy
  • Characteristic: small variety, suitable for tub culture

Monstrosa (Cortaderia selloana 'Monstrosa')

  • Leaves: gray-green
  • Flowers: silvery white
  • Height: 1.50 to 2.50 meters
  • Flowering period: September to November
  • Winter hardiness: winter protection required
  • Feature: protect from moisture in winter

Patagonia (Cortaderia selloana 'Patagonia')

Pampas grass cultivar Patagonia
  • Leaves: light green
  • Flowers: gray with a reddish tinge
  • Height: 0.90 to 1.50 meters
  • Flowering period: September to October
  • Winter hardiness: winter protection required
  • Characteristic: very soft fronds

Pumila (Cortaderia selloana 'Pumila')

  • Leaves: dark green, narrow
  • Flowers: white
  • Height: 0.80 to 1.00 meters
  • Flowering period: September to November
  • Winter hardiness: winter protection required
  • Characteristic: small variety, suitable for planting in pots

Rendatleri (Cortaderia selloana 'Rendatleri')

  • Leaves: gray-green, narrow, pointed
  • Flowers: pink
  • Height: 1.50 to 2.50 meters
  • Flowering period: September to October
  • Winter hardiness: winter protection required
  • Feature: suitable for pond edges

Pink Feather (Cortaderia selloana 'Pink Feather')

Pampas grass variety `Rosa Feder`
  • Leaves: gray-green, strong, rough
  • Flowers: light pink, later brownish
  • Height: 0.90 to 2.50 meters
  • Flowering period: September to October
  • Winter hardiness: winter protection recommended
  • Characteristic: attractive fruit decoration, suitable as a specimen plant

Rosea (Cortaderia selloana 'Rosea')

  • Leaves: gray-green, strong, serrated edges
  • Flowers: gray-pink, long panicles
  • Height: 0.80 to 1.80 meters
  • Flowering period: September to October
  • Winter hardiness: winter protection necessary
  • Characteristic: rare variety with small flowers

Tip: Combine different types of pampas grass. During the flowering period, a magical play of soft flower colors develops.

Varieties from S - Z

Scarlet Wonder (Cortaderia selloana 'Scarlet Wonder')

  • Leaves: gray-green
  • Flowers: pink
  • Height: 1.50 to 2.50 meters
  • Flowering period: September to November
  • Winter hardiness: winter protection required
  • Characteristic: spreading growth

Silver Comet (Cortaderia selloana 'Silver Comet')

Pampas grass variety `Silver Comet`
  • Leaves: very light green
  • Flowers: light yellow
  • Height: 1.00 to 1.50 meters
  • Flowering period: September to October
  • Winter hardiness: winter protection required
  • Characteristic: beautiful large flowers

Silverstar (Cortaderia selloana 'Silverstar')

  • Leaves: green-white striped, pointed, sharp edges
  • Flowers: white
  • Height: 1.50 to 2.00 meters
  • Flowering period: August to October
  • Winter hardiness: hardy
  • Feature: well suited for the vase

Note: Young pampas grass plants do not bloom until the second or third year. Choose a sunny location, spoil the grass with a nutrient-rich substrate and sufficient moisture in summer. You will soon be able to enjoy the bloom.

Sunningdale Silver (Cortaderia selloana 'Sunningdale Silver')

Pampas grass variety `Sunningdale Silver`
  • Leaves: gray-green, pointed, sharp edges
  • Flowers: silvery white
  • Height: 0.90 to 2.50 meters
  • Flowering period: September to October
  • Winter hardiness: winter protection required
  • Characteristic: very large flower panicles, well suited for the vase

Note: The Sunningdale Silver pampas grass is considered the most beautiful variety.

White feather (Cortaderia selloana 'White Feather')

  • Leaves: gray-green, strong, rough, pointed
  • Flowers: white
  • Height: 1.00 to 1.50 meters
  • Flowering period: September to October
  • Winter hardiness: winter protection recommended
  • Feature: high water requirement

frequently asked Questions

Is pampas grass suitable for bucket culture?

In particular, the small varieties such as 'Pumila', 'Mini Goldpampas' or 'Alba' are ideal for growing in pots. Choose a sufficiently large bucket with a volume of 40 to 50 liters. A drainage layer and permeable substrate help prevent waterlogging. Place the plant in a sunny spot. Make sure you get enough moisture in summer.

When is the pampas grass cut back?

Cutting back in early spring stimulates growth and flower formation. Remove dry, dead shoots. Get the young green leaves. Fall pruning is not required.

Is pampas grass suitable for the vase?

The magical fronds can be dried perfectly. Hang the cut flowers upside down to dry for ten days. Put the dried flowers in the vase. The feathery panicles look decorative individually or in a bouquet. Florists prefer pampas grass for making autumn and Christmas arrangements.

When is the best time to plant pampas grass?

At the end of May, after the ice saints, you can plant pampas grass. Young plants are sensitive to cold. Therefore only plant when there is no longer any risk of night frosts.

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