{"product_id":"korean-feather-reed-grass","title":"Korean Feather Reed Grass","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Shade-Tolerant Reed Grass with Glittering Fall Plumes\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKorean Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha) is the relaxed, shade-friendly cousin of the upright reed grasses, prized for soft, feathery plumes that emerge silvery-pink in late summer and glitter in autumn light. Its arching habit and tolerance for part shade make it a standout where stiffer grasses won't grow. Whether you're softening a shaded border under oaks in Minnetonka, adding fall texture in Edina, or filling a part-sun bed in St. Paul — Korean Reed Grass brings late-season movement to zone 4b–5a yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKorean 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 brachytricha\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKorean Feather Reed Grass, Diamond 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 feet (foliage); 3–4 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\u003e2–3 feet\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 — forms an arching, vase-shaped clump\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 to part shade. One of the most shade-tolerant ornamental grasses — handles dappled light under oak and maple.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAverage. Prefers consistent moisture; tolerates short dry spells once established.\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\u003eAdaptable — thrives in Minnesota clay-loam and average garden soil; appreciates organic matter.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — bright green arching blades turn golden in fall; plumes age to tan and stand into 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. Plumes provide winter structure above the snow.\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\u003eSoft, feathery silvery-pink plumes in late summer, glittering in fall and aging to tan.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKorean Feather Reed Grass Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShade and part-sun borders\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike most ornamental grasses, Korean Reed Grass thrives in dappled shade under the mature tree canopy common across the Twin Cities. Use it to add grassy texture where sun-loving grasses would flop. Space 24–30 inches apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLate-season and fall interest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts plumes arrive in late summer just as many perennials fade, then catch low autumn light beautifully. Pair with fall-blooming perennials and let the plumes carry the show into winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNaturalistic and woodland-edge plantings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe soft, arching form suits a relaxed, naturalistic design or a woodland edge far better than the rigid upright grasses — a graceful filler in a shaded Maple Grove or Roseville bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Korean 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 Korean 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\u003eImprove the soil. Mix 20–30% compost into the backfill to hold moisture, since this grass likes steadier moisture than the upright reed grasses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFirm gently around the roots and water in well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpace plants 24–30 inches apart to allow the arching clump to spread.\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 Korean 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 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes per plant)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 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 prefer steady moisture but tolerate short dry spells. In a dry, shaded spot under trees competing for water, give it an occasional deep soak during droughts. Otherwise let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Korean Reed Grass survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — it's reliably hardy to zone 4, and the dried plumes add winter structure. Leave them standing and cut the clump back to a few inches in late winter or early spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it really grow in shade?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — it's one of the few ornamental grasses that performs in part shade and dappled light, making it ideal under the oak and maple canopy common in Twin Cities yards. It still blooms best with a few hours of sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it spread or self-seed?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt forms a clump rather than running, though as a species it can self-sow modestly in ideal conditions. Cutting plumes before seed drops, if you prefer, keeps it tidy.\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\u003eShade Garden Plants — for beds under mature oak and maple canopy\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 Korean Feather Reed Grass Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGive this arching grass room — space clumps about 28 inches apart for a soft, textural mass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBed run\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants needed (28 in. apart)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 ft.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15 ft.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 ft.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt also stands beautifully as a single accent or in a loose group of three in a shaded border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKorean Feather Reed Grass Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright green, arching blades emerge into a vase-shaped clump.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage fills out; soft, feathery silvery-pink plumes rise in late summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plumes glitter in low autumn light as the blades turn golden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plumes age to tan and stand above the snow, adding structure until you 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   ✔ Shade-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 upright cousin for sunnier stretches of the same bed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/japanese-painted-fern\"\u003eJapanese Painted Fern\u003c\/a\u003e — silvery shade foliage that picks up the plumes' soft tones\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/lady-fern\"\u003eLady Fern\u003c\/a\u003e — a native fern to share the same dappled, moist ground\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/jack-frost-brunnera\"\u003eJack Frost Brunnera\u003c\/a\u003e — frosted heart-shaped leaves for a luminous shade pairing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Korean Feather Reed Grass Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s one of the few ornamental grasses that performs in part shade and dappled light under oak and maple, with steady, average moisture. Not a fit for a hot, bone-dry spot — unlike the tougher upright reed grasses, this one wants consistent moisture and will look thin and floppy in deep, dry shade.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54230599369009,"sku":null,"price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Korean_Feather_Reed_Grass_1.jpg?v=1779074426","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/korean-feather-reed-grass","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}