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Grass Like

Cortaderia selloana

pampas grass

A densely tufted, clump-forming, perennial grass, 2.5-3m high and 1.8m or more wide, with evergreen, arching, sharply toothed, blue-green leaves, to 2.5m or more long, and erect stems with pyramidal to oblong plume-like panicles, 45-90cm long, of glistening silver-white spikelets about 15mm long and often flushed with pink or purple, in late summer and early autumn

Other common names

pampas grass 'Argentea'

Synonyms

Cortaderia selloana 'Argentea'
Cortaderia selloana 'Alba'
see moreCortaderia argentea
Gynerium argenteum
Arundo selloana

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or North–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Poaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Tufted
Genus: Cortaderia are robust evergreen grasses forming large, compact tufts of narrowly linear, rough-edged leaves, with erect stems bearing dense silvery or pink-tinged flower panicles which are excellent for drying
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Temp. S America

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, deep, well-drained soil in full sun, and cover with a deep dry mulch to protect plants from frost in their first winter; choose planting positions carefully, because they need plenty of space, because of the sharp leaf edges, and because seedlings can be invasive; for more advice, see ornamental grasses cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown at 13-18°C in spring, or by division in late spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Gravel garden
Prairie planting
Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Cut and comb out the last year's flower stems and dead leaves in late winter or early spring; wear gloves as protection from the sharp leaf edges

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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