Cortaderia selloana

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Plant
ID 854 Cortaderia selloana
Botanic Name Cortaderia selloana
Common Name Pampas Grass
Family Name Poaceae
Cultivars syn. Cortaderia argentea, 'Pumila'
Origin South America, Zone 7-11
Growth Type Grass
Bark Type Stemless / Acaulescent
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Low
No. of Species 20
Growth Habit Tufted Growth Rate Fast
Height 3 - 4 m (10 - 13 ft) Spread 2 m (7 ft)
Plant Overview
This perennial grass forms a large dense upright tufted habit. It has yellowish-green rough textured linear leaves up to 2 m (6 ft) long with sharp margins and the white feathery-like flowers appear on a long stalk above the foliage during summer.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Linear
The yellowish-green linear leaves are up to 2 m (6 ft) long by 20 mm (¾ in) wide and are arching. they have sharp serrated margins in one direction and an acute apex. Ligule: Tufted hairs,Sheath: Smooth to sparsely hairy, pale yellow.
Arrangement Basal
Margin Serrulate
Colour Yellow-Green
Size 600 - 2000 mm ( 23.6 - 78.7 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape
The female florets are covered in silky hairs and the male is naked. The dense terminal panicle has many branches and is up to 1,000 mm (3 ft) long and is silvery-white to pale pink in colour. They appear throughout summer above the foliage.
Inflorescence Panicle
Colour White
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Caryopsis Additional Information
Colour Brown
The small dry one seeded fruit has a short viability period and requires ample warmth to germinate. the straw coloured elliptical seeds are up to 3 mm long and are enclosing the persistent bracts. The peak seed production is during February to March.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 2 - 3 mm ( 0.1 - 0.1 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well to poorly drained, moist-dry, sandy, clay or loamy soil, pH 5.5-7.5
Container Pots, tubs, planter boxes
Climate Warm to sub-tropical
Aspect Full sun, open to expose position, drought, frost and salt tolerant
Pest & Diseases No major pest or disease problem
Fertiliser If container grown apply liquid fertiliser monthly, keep moist during summer
Pruning Trim to contain during spring, as a weed remove plant and roots from the ground and dispose off site
Cultural Uses Propagation
Pampas Grass is grown for its stately clumping habit and its flower heads. It is planted in parks and large gardens as a specimen or used around a water feature or on embankments. It can be grown in large pots, tubs for courtyards or as a windbreak.
Sow fresh seed and maintain a temperature of 16 to 18 C. Divide established clumps (rhizome) during spring. This plant is not normally cultivated for ornamental purposes in Australia.
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