Cortaderia is a herbaceous perennial with botanical similarities to the Bluegrass family. Under natural conditions, the plant is found in the steppes in the countries of South America and New Zealand. For this reason, the more traditional name for the cereal is pampas grass. The wild thickets of cortaderia are considered to be a weed that grows without any care. Cultivated plant species are attracted by multi-colored spikelets and lush grassy arrows, reaching a height of more than 2 meters.
Description of the plant
The plant has powerful roots that go deep underground. Since the rhizome grows quickly, it is quite difficult to remove the cortaderia from the site. The bushes form a continuous weed carpet, at the base of which there are flexible leaves with a rigid structure and an arched shape, weaving into a green cascade. Serrated spines are present along the edges of the leaf blades.
At the end of August, the leaf rosette gives life to straight, elastic stems. The top of the stems is covered with a complex paniculate spike-shaped inflorescence from 30 to 50 cm long. The spikelet is formed from 4-7 flowers with a soft fleecy surface. White, cream or pink color of panicles predominates.
How to grow a cortaderia
The propagation of a cereal crop occurs by seeds or by dividing the bush. The cultivation of cortaderia begins with the hatching of seedlings. Sowing events are arranged in early spring. Seeds are preliminarily subjected to stratification for at least 2 weeks. The hardened seed is poured into moist soil mixed with peat and sand. The containers are kept in the room, providing regular ventilation. The emergence of seedlings should be expected in 10-14 days. When warm May weather sets in and frosts subside, the seedlings are transferred to open ground. Seedlings will be ready to bloom only in the fifth year after planting.
The pampas grass is growing rapidly. After establishing stable weather, it is allowed to disturb the plant and separate part of the bush with roots. It is transplanted, keeping the earthen lump, to a new place. It is not necessary to completely remove the curtain from the soil.
Planting and caring for the cortaderia
Cortaderia does not need scrupulous care. The plant is considered unpretentious and adapts to any soil. Drought and sunlight will not do much harm to the culture. Grass prefers open, free areas. Stems and inflorescences are quite resistant to wind gusts.
If there is a lack of natural rainfall, the cereal must be watered every couple of weeks. Bushes of three and five years of age are practically not afraid of drought. Fertilizers are applied once a season. This is enough for the plant to feel comfortable.
When planting a cortaderia, the root collar is slightly deepened so that the culture can safely endure the winter. Before wintering, the stems are collected together and tied, bending to the ground. The shoots are cut at a height of at least 40 cm from the surface of the site. The shoots are covered with spruce branches or a piece of film.
Sharp and tough leaves keep insects away.For this reason, pests rarely bother the pampas grass. Diseases also hardly affect the cultivated species of cortaderia.
Types and varieties of cortaderia with photos
In the pedigree of this perennial, there are about 25 species. Gardeners in our area cultivate the Cello cortaderia as cultural representatives, otherwise called pampas grass.
Cortaderia sello or Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana)
The height of the cereal is approaching three meters. The curtain of adult specimens grows rapidly and fills nearby empty areas. The leaves, located in the root zone, are gray-green in color with sharp toothed ends. Flowers of a tiny size are collected in even spikelets, from which panicle inflorescences are then formed. The flowers are surrounded by soft, elongated hairs colored in a silvery or white shade. Thanks to the hairs, the plant looks very peculiar. The most famous varieties include:
- Silvery - with tall erect stems ending in silvery panicles;
- curtain Patagonia - covered with green leaves with a gray bloom, lush white spikelets grow on the stems;
- Pink - prefers a warm climate, the height of the stems reaches several meters;
- Rendatleri - tall bushes adorned with dense purple buds;
- Silver comet - attracts with white spikelets and bright green foliage containing white shading in the longitudinal direction.
Pampas grass for a summer cottage
Cortaderia looks great in the garden next to other plants. Saplings are placed separately or in groups. Herbal cascades perfectly decorate ponds. It is not recommended to plant cereals near the paths, otherwise there is a possibility that the overgrown prickly foliage will cause inconvenience or injury to the owners.
The lush undergrowth of the cortaderia will create a unique backdrop for a bright flower garden consisting of roses, peonies, verbena or echinacea. Dried ears are used in bouquet compositions.
