CALAMAGROSTIS. Widespread, temperate regions. A variable group of grasses, ranging from a few inches to several feet tall, with fine to quite bold foliage. The flower clusters are often quite decorative. Culture and hardiness vary.

acutiflora.A beautiful tall grass, making sizeable clumps. Both stems and leaves stand nearly erect, to a total height of 2-4’, though they are limber and graceful. The leaf blades are 1’ or more long, strongly tinged with deep red in fall and winter, except in the mildest climates. Slender wands rise another 2’ above the foliage in late spring and early summer, bearing narrow plumes of pale pink flowering heads. The traditional selection ‘Stricta’ (‘Karl Foerster’) has bright green leaves. A recent arrival from Greenlee Nursery is ‘Overdam’, with somehat narrower leaves margined in cream. Sun, most soils, moderate to regular watering. Hardy to 0^oF. or less.

breweri. A small, finely textured bunchgrass native to our own Sierra and northern mountains, at middle and higher elevations. The shoots are densely clustered at the base, rising a few inches (in this selection) to about 1'. The leaves are quite narrow and rolled, bright green in color. In summer it bears many open, purple-tinged flower panicles, especially beautiful when backlit. Sun, well drained soil, moderate to occasional watering. Below 0^oF.