Cortaderia pumila

RHS Plant Profile
pampas grass 'Pumila'

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pampas grass 'Pumila' RHS
pampas grass 'Pumila' RHS
pampas grass 'Pumila' RHS
pampas grass 'Pumila' RHS 1997

Synonyms

Cortaderia pumila

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A perennial, evergreen grass forming a compact clump of narrow, arching dark green leaves to 45cm in length. Silky, creamy-white plumes appear on stems to 1.2m in height in late summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
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
Synonym

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, with ample space to develop into a specimen. Protect crowns of young plants in their first winter

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Prairie planting
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut and comb out the previous year's stems and dead foliage annually in late winter or early spring, taking care to avoid the sharp leaf margins

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free