Pomegranate grass - everything you need to know about it

Pampas grass is one of the most impressive and most used perennials grown in our climate. Its versatile appearance makes it suitable for almost any type of garden - from completely modern arrangements to oriental gardens. It can be planted along walls and building walls, form the top floor of beds and a background for other flower arrangements, or grow in pots as decoration for terraces and balconies. So let's find out where this unusual plant comes from, what it looks like, and what to do to give it the right conditions. 

Appearance of pampas grass

Cortaderia selloana, also known as cortaderia or silver grass, forms dense clumps that can grow up to 200 cm tall during flowering when, in addition to leaves, the plant also produces large fluffy panicles - usually between September and November when, in addition to the dense clump of leaves that create the impression of a green fountain, large inflorescences begin to appear. The flowers are 20 to 40 cm long, large, fluffy, panicle-like and come in many colors. The most common varieties are those with white, beige and pink inflorescences.

When choosing a plant, however, you should pay attention to the fact that it is a dioecious perennial, having both female and male copies. It is in the case of the former that the inflorescences will be the most attractive and impressive, finding their use in the arrangement and decoration of the garden, both as the main accent and the background for other compositions. Male plants, on the other hand, produce much smaller flowers and their main aesthetic value are clusters of arching leaves. 

Origin of pampas grass

Pampas grass is native to the remote areas of South America, found primarily in the Pampa region - hence its name. In its natural habitat, the plant mainly grows on steppes and its origin makes it very demanding, which is not easy to meet in our climate. This is especially true in winter, when low temperatures can have a devastating effect. So how do you take good care of pampas grass?

Cultivation of pampas grass

Pampas grass should be grown in a warm, sunny and wind-sheltered position. It will be effective to choose a spot for it right next to a fence or building wall that can provide protection from the weather. 

The plant requires fertile and permeable soil. The soil in which it is planted should be slightly acidic, humus and rich in minerals, necessary for the proper development of the perennial. It is also crucial to avoid excess water and waterlogging. It is good practice to plant pampas grass on small hills with good drainage (reminiscent of the natural environment from which it originates). Another solution is to plant the plant at an artificial elevation where its roots will be above ground level and will not be exposed to too much retained water. In this case, however, remember to water during warmer periods of the year so that the clumps do not dry out. In spring and summer, the substrate should be slightly moist, while in autumn and winter, when the temperature drops below zero, completely dry - otherwise the roots and the base of the clump will begin to rot and will not survive even a slight chill. 

The plant responds well to fertilization. Organic, mineral-rich fertilizers are highly recommended. Fertilizers with an increased content of potassium and phosphorus and a reduced amount of nitrogen are ideal for use in both spring and summer. 

How do I protect the plant from cold?

Although pampas grass is relatively cold hardy and is one of the most commonly grown ornamental grasses in our climate, it may not survive the winter in the ground on its own without proper protection. A suitable location that is free of excess water and partially shields the plant from adverse weather conditions may provide some protection in case of mild cold, but will be insufficient during major temperature drops. 

Pampas grass can be easily protected by covering it with a mound made by yourself using dried leaves, sawdust or natural peat. The leaves of the perennial can also be used to create a cover by tying them to the top of the plant and making a kind of choir, which shields it from the cold and wind. You should also protect the clump from excessive precipitation - both rain and snow can be devastating to it. For this purpose, any canopy should be placed over it, so that the clump remains dry. 

Although it is not the easiest solution due to the large size of the plant, pampas grass can also be grown in pots. In this way, the plant can be transported for the winter and placed in a bright room where the temperature oscillates between 0 and 10 degrees.