{"product_id":"eldorado-feather-reed-grass","title":"Eldorado Feather Reed Grass","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Gold-Striped Upright Grass That Glows All Season\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEldorado Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Eldorado') carries the same crisp, vertical form as the famous 'Karl Foerster' but lights it up with a bright golden stripe running down each blade. Tall summer plumes age to wheat-gold and stand through winter. It's upright, non-invasive, and tough. Whether you're adding a glowing vertical accent in Eden Prairie, screening a patio in Woodbury, or warming a mixed border in Maple Grove — Eldorado brings season-long color and structure to zone 4b–5a yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eEldorado Feather Reed Grass Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCalamagrostis × acutiflora 'Eldorado'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFeather Reed Grass, Golden Variegated Reed Grass\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–2.5 feet (foliage); 3.5–4 feet with plumes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–24 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — tidy upright clump; does not spread or self-sow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours). The golden stripe shows best and the habit stays tightest in full sun.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAverage. Tolerates short dry spells once established; also handles seasonally moist soil.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery adaptable — thrives in Minnesota clay-loam and tolerates heavy soils better than most grasses.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — green blades with a gold center stripe; turns wheat-gold and stands through winter.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -30°F. The stiff plumes hold up under snow for winter interest.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStrongly deer-resistant — ornamental grasses are rarely browsed.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFeathery pinkish-tan plumes in early-to-mid summer, aging to wheat-gold for fall and winter.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eEldorado Feather Reed Grass Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGlowing vertical accent\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe gold-striped blades and strictly upright form make Eldorado a luminous focal point in a sunny bed. Use single clumps as exclamation points or a row 18–24 inches apart for a warm, airy screen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFour-season winter structure\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough Minnesota's long winter, the golden plumes and stiff stems give the garden height and movement above the snow. Leave them standing until late winter, then cut back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTough sites: boulevards and clay\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeather reed grass shrugs off road salt, heavy clay, and reflected heat, making Eldorado a dependable pick for a boulevard strip or a hot, hard-to-plant corner in Bloomington or St. Paul.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Eldorado Feather Reed Grass in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpring (late April–May) and early fall (late August–mid September) are both excellent. Spring planting gives a full season of root growth; early-fall planting still allows 6–8 weeks to establish before ground freeze (typically mid-November in the Twin Cities).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant a bit earlier in fall than you would a shrub — grasses establish best with several weeks of warm soil ahead of them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid planting after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Eldorado Feather Reed Grass\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep. 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoosen heavy clay around the hole, but feather reed grass tolerates clay better than most — no heavy amendment needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil mixed with some compost; firm gently and water in well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpace plants 18–24 inches apart for a row or screen; give single accents room to show their full form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a shallow water basin the first season, then flatten it before winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch 2 inches with shredded bark, kept off the crown. Cut the clump back to 4–6 inches in late winter before new growth emerges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Eldorado Feather Reed Grass in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 2–3 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes per plant)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 4–5 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished clumps are quite drought-tolerant and need water only during extended dry spells. Feather reed grass also tolerates seasonally moist soil, so it's forgiving on both ends. Let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Eldorado survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — it's reliably hardy to zone 4 and the dried plumes are a winter feature, standing up through snow. Leave them in place and cut the clump back to a few inches in late winter or early spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it invasive or will it spread?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Feather reed grass forms a tidy clump and the acutiflora hybrids are sterile, so they don't self-sow or run — well-behaved, unlike some spreading grasses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much sun does it need for the gold color?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull sun gives the brightest golden stripe and the tightest upright habit. In shade it grows looser, blooms less, and the variegation fades toward green.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen do I cut it back?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLate winter to early spring, before new green growth appears — cut the whole clump to 4–6 inches. That's the only real maintenance it needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShop the full Three Timbers Minnesota catalog — zone 4-hardy plants hand-selected for Twin Cities yards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFull Sun Plants — for hot, bright borders and tough boulevard strips\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeer-Resistant Plants — for high-pressure suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Eldorado Feather Reed Grass Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a row or airy screen, space these upright clumps about 20 inches apart (their 18–24 inch spread):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRun Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (20 in apart)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a single focal accent, give one clump room to show its full vase shape — no neighbors crowding the gold blades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eEldorado Feather Reed Grass Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh blades emerge with their signature bright gold center stripe, forming a crisp upright clump.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Feathery pinkish-tan plumes shoot up to 3.5–4 feet in early-to-mid summer over the glowing foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plumes and blades age to warm wheat-gold, lighting up the bed as other plants fade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The stiff gold plumes and stems stand tall through snow, giving the garden height and movement all winter — cut back in late winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Salt-Tolerant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/karl-foerster-feather-reed-grass\"\u003eKarl Foerster Feather Reed Grass\u003c\/a\u003e — its taller all-green sibling for a repeating vertical rhythm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/little-bluestem\"\u003eLittle Bluestem\u003c\/a\u003e — a native grass that adds blue summer color and red fall tones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/sombrero-granada-gold-coneflower\"\u003eSombrero Granada Gold Coneflower\u003c\/a\u003e — golden daisies that echo the gold blades and feed pollinators.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/autumn-fire-sedum\"\u003eAutumn Fire Sedum\u003c\/a\u003e — rosy late-season flower heads at the grass's feet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Eldorado Feather Reed Grass Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt thrives in full sun and tough spots most plants hate — heavy clay, road salt, and reflected boulevard heat — staying tidy and non-spreading (it's sterile and won't self-sow). Not a fit for deep shade, where the gold stripe fades to green, the habit flops open, and it blooms poorly.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54230599794993,"sku":null,"price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Eldorado_Feather_Reed_Grass_1.jpg?v=1779074415","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/eldorado-feather-reed-grass","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}