Calamagrostis × 'Cheju-Do'

Cheju-do reed grass

Poaceae

Garden hybrid named for Jeju Island (Cheju-Do), Korea; parentage likely involves {Calamagrostis brachytricha}

Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 5–9

Overview

Calamagrostis spp. × 'Cheju-Do' is a hybrid reed grass 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) tall and 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide, named for Jeju Island, formerly Cheju-Do, off southern Korea. Open, feathery panicles rise above narrow, arching green blades, opening pinkish-bronze in late August and aging to silver-tan through fall. Its mid-range size, smaller than C. brachytricha but larger than most Bouteloua spp., fills a scale gap in mixed grass plantings. The hybrid handles drought better than C. brachytricha, holding up on average garden soil without the steady moisture the Korean feather reed grass wants; in very dry ground, though, the leaf tips brown by late summer. It takes light shade but throws fewer, shorter plumes as light drops. Self-sowing is slight, since the hybrid sets little viable seed, and the clump widens slowly without running rhizomes. The plumes hold form through winter, catching frost and light snow, and the foliage turns gold to tan after frost. Hardy in zones 5-9.

Native Range

Calamagrostis spp. × 'Cheju-Do' is a garden hybrid named for Jeju Island, Korea. Its parentage likely involves C. brachytricha and possibly other Asian reed grasses.

Suggested Uses

Grown in mixed grass plantings, fall-interest borders, and naturalistic gardens, where the mid-range size bridges low gramas and tall miscanthus, and in containers of 5 gallons (19 L) or more. Groups of three to five give a fuller plume display. The slight self-sowing suits contained beds.

How to Identify

Open, feathery pinkish-bronze panicles in fall above narrow, arching green foliage. It is smaller and more upright than C. brachytricha, with narrower blades, and its pinkish-bronze early color and mid-range size set it apart from that species and from C. × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster', which throws narrow, columnar panicles in early summer.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 3'

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer Fall

Panicles open in late August and carry through October. They emerge pinkish-bronze and shift to silver-tan over about 8 weeks, then hold through winter. Wind moves them readily.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pinkish-bronze, aging to silver-tan, in open feathery panicles

Foliage Description

Green, narrow, arching

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun to light shade with at least 5 hours of direct light. Average, well-drained soil is enough, and the hybrid takes drought better than C. brachytricha. Water while establishing and through long dry spells. Feeding is not needed. The plumes can stand through winter for structure and cover. Cut the whole plant to 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in late February or early March before new growth.

Pruning

The plumes and foliage stand through winter. Cut the whole plant to 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) above the ground in late winter before spring growth starts. No other pruning is needed.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 5 gallons

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Grass