Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster

2001 Perennial plant of the year in the Poaceae family.

A hybrid of C. epigejos x C. arundinacea found in the Hamburg Botanical Garden and introduced as C. epigejos 'Hortorum'

The name Calamagrostis comes from the Greek kalamose which means reed and agrostis which means grass.  It was introduced to U.S. in 1964.  Needs to be cut back early in the spring because it starts to grow early and blooms early.  A serrated knife works well for cutting it back.  It grows well in moist fertile soil but will grow in clay soil in full sun to part shade.  It is a long lived perennial that grows 5 to 7 feet tall.  The seeds are sterile so for propagation it must be divided.  It is a "thriller" or for containers can be used as a "pillar" since it will grow in zone 2.