Calamagrostis 'Overdam' (Variegated Feather Reed Grass) – 3 Gallon

  
Calamagrostis 'Overdam' (Variegated Feather Reed Grass) – 3 Gallon

Description  
Calamagrostis 'Overdam', also known as Variegated Feather Reed Grass, is a striking ornamental grass prized for its elegant, upright form and distinctive green-and-cream variegated foliage. In late spring to early summer, airy, feathery flower plumes rise above the foliage, emerging pinkish-bronze and maturing to a soft tan for lasting interest into fall and winter. Compact and clump-forming, 'Overdam' is perfect for borders, mass plantings, containers, or as a vertical accent in modern and cottage gardens. Exceptionally hardy, deer resistant, and low maintenance, this grass thrives in full sun to part shade and adapts to a wide range of soils, including clay and wet sites.

Key Features
- **Botanical Name:** Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Overdam'
- **Common Name:** Variegated Feather Reed Grass
- **Container Size:** 3 Gallon
- **Mature Size:** 2–3 ft tall (foliage), 4–5 ft tall (with plumes), 2–3 ft wide
- **Growth Habit:** Upright, clump-forming
- **Foliage:** Green with creamy-white margins; variegated, fine-textured
- **Bloom Color:** Pinkish-bronze plumes maturing to tan
- **Bloom Time:** Late spring to early summer; plumes persist into winter
- **Sunlight:** Full sun to part shade (best color and form in full sun)
- **Soil:** Well-drained; tolerates clay, loam, sand, and wet soils
- **Water Needs:** Moderate; drought tolerant once established
- **Hardiness Zones:** USDA 4–9
- **Maintenance:** Very low; cut back to 6" in late winter or early spring before new growth
- **Special Features:** Deer resistant, drought tolerant, tolerant of wet soils, non-invasive, excellent for cut and dried arrangements, vertical accent

Care Instructions
1. **Planting:**  
   - Choose a sunny to partly shaded location with well-drained soil.  
   - Space plants 2–3 feet apart for borders or mass plantings.
2. **Watering:**  
   - Water regularly during establishment.  
   - Once established, water during prolonged dry spells.
3. **Pruning:**  
   - Cut back to 6 inches in late winter or early spring before new shoots appear.
4. **Fertilizing:**  
   - Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring if desired.
5. **Mulching:**  
   - Add a 2–3 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Landscape Uses
- Borders and beds
- Mass plantings
- Accent or specimen plant
- Containers and patio gardens
- Vertical accent in modern or cottage gardens
- Erosion control on slopes