{"product_id":"overdam-feather-reed-grass","title":"Overdam Feather Reed Grass","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA White-Edged Upright Grass with Soft Pink-Tinged Variegation\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverdam Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Overdam') is the white-edged version of the classic 'Karl Foerster' — narrow green blades trimmed in creamy white that take on a soft pink blush in cool weather. It keeps the same tidy, upright form and tall summer plumes that stand through a Minnesota winter. Whether you're brightening a border in Eden Prairie, screening a patio in Woodbury, or adding a refined vertical accent in Maple Grove — Overdam delivers cool-toned structure to zone 4b–5a yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOverdam 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 'Overdam'\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, 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); 3–4 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 to part shade. Tolerates a bit more shade than green-leaved grasses; afternoon shade keeps the variegation crisp.\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 — white-edged green blades that blush pink in cool weather; turns golden tan 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 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\u003eOverdam Feather Reed Grass Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRefined vertical accent and screening\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe white-edged blades soften the strong upright form, making Overdam a more delicate accent than solid-green grasses. Use single clumps as accents or a row 18–24 inches apart for an airy, bright seasonal 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 add 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, so Overdam works on a boulevard strip or a hot, hard-to-plant spot in Bloomington or St. Paul where its bright variegation stands out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Overdam 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 Overdam 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 Overdam 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 Overdam 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 — a well-behaved choice unlike some spreading grasses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much sun does it need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull sun gives the tightest upright habit, but Overdam takes a bit more shade than solid-green grasses, and a touch of afternoon shade keeps the white variegation crisp.\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 Overdam Feather Reed Grass Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBed run\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants needed\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\u003e4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eOverdam forms a tidy 18–24 in. clump, so space plants about 20 in. apart for an airy, bright seasonal screen, or use single clumps as upright vertical accents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOverdam Feather Reed Grass Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e White-edged green blades emerge and take on a soft pink blush in the cool spring air.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Feathery, pink-tinged plumes rise to 3–4 ft. in early-to-mid summer above the crisp variegated foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plumes age to wheat-gold and the foliage turns golden tan.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The stiff plumes and stems stand up through snow, adding height and movement to the winter garden.\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\/little-bluestem\"\u003eLittle Bluestem\u003c\/a\u003e — pairs grass-with-grass for a prairie-style sweep with blue-then-russet color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/sombrero-granada-gold-coneflower\"\u003eSombrero Granada Gold Coneflower\u003c\/a\u003e — gold daisies pop against the bright variegated blades.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/autumn-fire-sedum\"\u003eAutumn Fire Sedum\u003c\/a\u003e — rusty late-season flower heads echo the grass's golden tones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/moonshine-yarrow\"\u003eMoonshine Yarrow\u003c\/a\u003e — flat yellow heads and silver foliage complete a tough, sunny, low-water combo.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Overdam Feather Reed Grass Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverdam takes full sun to a little afternoon shade, tolerates heavy clay, road salt, and reflected heat, and stays put as a sterile, non-spreading clump — ideal for boulevards and hot strips. Not a fit for deep shade or constantly soggy ground, where the habit loosens and the variegation loses its crispness.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54230599139633,"sku":null,"price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Overdam_Feather_Reed_Grass_1.jpg?v=1779074428","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/overdam-feather-reed-grass","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}