Back to plants
Silvery plumes of pampas grass swaying in the autumn breezeOrnamental grasses

Cortaderia selloana

Pampas Grass

ornamental grassautumn plumesdrought-tolerantwinter silhouetteimposing

Pampas Grass is an imposing ornamental grass with tall, silvery or pink plumes rising above narrow, arching foliage from September to November. The plumes can reach 3.5 metres and provide a spectacular autumn and winter silhouette. A true eye-catcher in any garden.

Want to see Pampas Grass in your garden?

1 minute, no credit card

Start free design
Free design

Want to see Pampas Grass in your garden? Make a free design now.

Upload a photo, pick a style, and get a photorealistic design with plant list in under a minute.

See your garden free

400+ gardens designed already

No credit card required

Before
After

Characteristics

Sun
Full sun
Water
Low
Height
200–350 cm
Spread
150–250 cm
Hardiness zone
7–11
Family
Poaceae
Evergreen
Yes
Flower colors
white, pink
Wildlife value
birds

Bloom period

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Care guide

Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant and requires little water once established. In harsh winters, protect with a thick layer of straw or tie the foliage together. Caution: leaf edges are razor-sharp — wear gloves.

Pruning tips

Cut back old foliage in early spring (March) to about 30 cm above ground before new growth appears. Wear thick gloves and long sleeves — the leaf edges cut like knives. Also remove old plumes.

Good companions

Silvery-white plumes of Chinese Silver Grass swaying in autumn windOrnamental grasses

Miscanthus sinensis

Chinese Silver Grass

Chinese Silver Grass is a striking ornamental grass that adds structure to any garden with its tall plumes and gracefully arching leaves. Silvery-white plumes appear from August to October and catch the autumn and winter light beautifully. The dried grass remains attractive throughout winter.

Full sunMedium150–250 cm
Soft bottlebrush-like plumes of fountain grass in warm backlightOrnamental grasses

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Fountain Grass

Fountain grass is an elegant ornamental grass that produces soft, bottlebrush-like plumes from August to October. The grass forms a dense, mound-shaped tussock and looks its best when backlit, with sunlight filtering through the feathery plumes. The flower heads and foliage turn warm golden-brown in autumn.

Full sunLow60–120 cm
Purple flower clusters of tall verbena against a summer skyPerennials

Verbena bonariensis

Tall Verbena

Tall Verbena is a graceful perennial with slender stems carrying clouds of purple flower clusters. Blooming from June until the first frost, it is a magnet for butterflies. Its airy, see-through habit makes it ideal for weaving through other plants in borders.

Full sunLow100–150 cm