CALAMAGROSTIS × acutiflora ‘Overdam’ – Feather Reed Grass

Calamagrostis × acutiflora ‘Overdam’, also known as ‘Overdam’ Feather Reed Grass, is an ornamental grass of natural elegance. Its green foliage margined with cream/white and its upright habit create a luminous and vertical touch in beds, borders, or pots. A variegated model among the × acutiflora cultivars, it brings a graphic structure while remaining accessible and easy to maintain.

Decorative assets

• Green/cream striped foliage that appears in spring and lasts a long time, providing permanent light.
• Airy plumes in summer, slightly rosy to mauve, evolving into tan/wheat tones and remaining visible in winter for annual structural interest.
• Relatively moderate size for a variegated grass, suitable for medium-sized gardens.
• Non-invasive behavior (clumping habit), ideal for neat and easy-to-manage compositions.

Key features

• Foliage color: green margined with cream/white
• Flower/panicle color: initially light pink/mauve, evolving to tan/wheat
• Height of floral stems: approximately 90 to 150 cm
• Width: approximately 45 to 60 cm
• Use: beds, back borders, in rows, spacious pots, naturalization or decorative accent

Cultivation & care

• Exposure: full sun to partial shade. In hot climates, light shade may be preferable.
• Soil: well-drained, fertile or moderately fertile. Tolerates clay, sand, or loam, provided the soil is not waterlogged.
• Watering: regular watering during establishment; once well-established, tolerates moderate drought.
• Hardiness: resistant to harsh winters (up to approximately USDA zone 4).
• Maintenance: in early spring, cut back the clump to about 5 cm from the ground before new growth appears. Divide clumps every few years if necessary.

Use and landscaping tips

Perfect for creating luminous vertical effects in beds and borders, or for structuring compositions in intermediate spaces and spacious pots. Its persistent plumes and variegated foliage add visual interest even in the background or in areas with limited sun exposure.

The ‘Overdam’ advantage

The combination of elegant variegated foliage and the graphic silhouette of a vertical grass offers natural and contemporary light. It is an easy-to-maintain solution that brings relief and light to gardens, while maintaining a refined and durable style thanks to its persistent plumes throughout the year.