Uruguayan Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana)

Uruguayan pampas grass

$41.00

Features and Characteristics

Cortaderia selloana, commonly called pampas grass, is native to Brazil, Argentina and Chile. It was planted around the world in Victorian times, and today is considered to be one of the most popular of the ornamental grasses. This is a tough, large grass that forms dense, substantial clumps (tussocks) featuring arching, finely serrated, narrow green leaves that are topped in fall by huge, feathery, silvery white plumes. It was first introduced into the U. S. in 1848, and for many years now has been grown as an ornamental plant in certain southern and western parts of the U.S. It has also been grown commercially for harvest of its large flower plumes for use in dried arrangements. Leaf blades are extremely sharp (easily cut human skin) and may reach 6-8’ in length. Flower plumes (1-3’ long) may rise to 10-12’ tall on erect stems. Silvery white plumes (sometimes with traces of pink) are more impressive on female plants than on male plants.

Genus name comes from the Argentinian name.

Care and Maintenance

Winter hardy to USDA Zones 8-10 where it is best grown in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Tolerates drought once established. Cut foliage back to the ground in late winter. Clumps may be divided in late winter to early spring. This grass is technically gynodioecious, but usually appears dioecious. Female plants produce prodigious amounts of seed and can self-seed freely, often resulting in naturalization that displaces valuable native plants. This plant is considerably invasive in certain areas of the western United States, particularly California and Hawaii where it is not now recommended for planting. In the St. Louis area (USDA Zone – , this grass will generally not survive winter, and should be planted in large containers (e.g., whiskey barrels) for overwintering in a greenhouse.

Uruguayan Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) Requirements

Hardiness zone	8 - 10
Sun light	Full sun
Water	Dry to medium
Maintenance	Medium

Common Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Invasively self-seeds in some warm winter areas. Leaf edges are extremely sharp.

Uses

Where winter hardy, this is a large ornamental grass for large landscapes. Excellent specimen. Background plant for borders. Screen. Plumes may be cut and dried for use in indoor flower arrangements. Best grown in containers in the St. Louis area.

Uruguayan Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) Details

Common name	Uruguayan pampas grass
Botanical name	Cortaderia selloana
Plant type	Ornamental grass
Family	Poaceae
Hardiness zone	8 - 10
Water	Dry to medium
Maintenance	Medium
Flower color	Silver white
Flowering period	August - February
Height	8 - 12 ft.
Width	4 - 6 ft.