pink pampas grass in Calgary?

Just got a question from Sophie re: growing pink pampas grass in Calgary.  I agree Sophie, it is a spectacular plant - when I have seen it elsewhere.  I have never tried growing it myself and haven't seen it much in Calgary (OK not at all, but I'm sure some keener somewhere is growing it!)

One problem with pampas grass in Calgary is that it is borderline hardy here - rated as zone 5 so if you had a sheltered spot and/or gave it some protection over the winter, it might make it.  But there's still another problem and that is that it needs a long growing season for the spectacular flowers to develop - which I'm sure is the reason you'd want to grow it.  Calgary does not have a long growing season by most standards!!

If you do want to try it, I'd maybe put it in a pot and overwinter it in a cold, dark spot in the basement or in a heated garage, if you've got one.  Then you can put it in a sunny window in early spring to give it a head start.  But on the other hand, it never hurts to try it outside and see what happens!  With "climate change" you never know...  Let me know how it goes...

Bluestem nursery has tonnes of great information on hardy ornamental grasses.  You can find information on pink pampas grass here (but their pictures don't do it justice).  A great substitute would be Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' which does very well in Calgary (reaches an impressive size but unfortunately isn't pink!).

Thanks for your question!  I love to hear from people who've found my blog helpful.

Comments

[Sophie]

Thanks! I visited Bluestem Nursery online... I really like the suggestion: I think I have seen this type of grass around the neighborhood landscaped homes. Enjoy the sun today!

[artificial grass]

This is an interesting and informative post! Thanks for the useful information you shared on your article. I am always happy to see other people who are willing to share their experiences and thoughts to others.

[Paige]

I know this is an old thread, but I'll throw in my two bits anyways: I am from Vancouver, where Pampas abounds. I am working on growing pink pampas from seed at the moment. It sprouted very enthusiastically under my grow lights, but seems to have hit a brick wall at about an inch of growth. It is now warming up enough that I have started hardening them off, but we'll see what happens post-transplant. Will update at the end of the season!

[Janice Miller-Young]

Thanks Paige!  You never know until you try and since Ive never tried, Im very interested to hear how things go for you!  If you can find a sheltered, hot spot in your yard, I think that would probably be best.
Cheers,
Janice