Cortaderia selloana

Cortaderia selloana, commonly known as Pampas Grass or Uruguayan pampas grass, is a tall grass native to the pampas of South America. It was originally grown to provide food for grazing animals. In North America and Europe it is an introduced species, cultivated as an ornamental grass which is hardy and decorative during winter. The feathery flower heads, when dried, are also used in flower arrangements. Also, a common decorative item in the floats of the Rose Parade associated with the Rose Bowl Football game in Pasadena, California.

Pampas grass is one of the tallest grasses; it grows in tussocks that can reach a height of 4m (13ft). The evergreen leaves are long and slender, but have very sharp edges so should be handled with care. The leaves are usually bluish-green, but can be silvery grey or variegated.

Pampas grass is highly adaptable and can grow in a wide range of environments and climates. It also seeds prolifically, with each plant able to produce over 1 million seeds during its life time. As such, in some areas (for example California and Hawaii) it is regarded as an invasive weed, whilst in New Zealand the plant is banned.

Related species to Cortaderia selloana

Other Cortaderia species, often with the same common name, are horticulturally interesting, or considered problematic invasive species. See heading for genus Cortaderia

Cultivars

There are several cultivars available, including

• Albolineata – a 'dwarf' variety which grows to only 2m in height. The leaves are yellow edged.
• Sunningdale Silver – grows to a height of 3m and has particularly dense flowering plumes. This variety has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.

References

• BBC plant profiles
• Blueplanetbiomes.org
• [ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/5319/11550.pdf Horticultural Alternatives for California]