Cortaderia selloana 'Sunningdale Silver'

RHS Plant Profile

pampas grass 'Sunningdale Silver'

RHS 1998

Synonyms

Cortaderia 'Sunningdale Silver'

Grass Like

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A robust, evergreen grass forming a clump of arching, narrow, dark green leaves up to 1.4m in length. Long, silky, creamy-white flower heads borne on stems to 2.2m in height in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: North–facing or West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Tufted
Genus: Cortaderia are robust evergreen grasses forming large, compact tufts of narrowly linear, rough-edged leaves, with erect stems bearing dense silvery or pink-tinged flower panicles which are excellent for drying
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in most well-drained fertile soils in full sun. May need some winter protection in first season

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in spring or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Prairie planting
Low Maintenance
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back old, flowered stems and dead foliage at the bases in late winter

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free