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Pampas pride
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Pampas grass is not a plant for small gardens. Set it by the side of swimming pools and lawns for an appealing and attractive view
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PAMPAS GRASS or Cortaderia argentea, which belongs to the family Gramineae from New Zealand and South America, is clump forming evergreen or semi-evergreen perennial grass. They form dense clusters of stiff, flat, narrowly linear (1-2 m) long, often glaucous, leaves, with rough or sharp margins.
They bear huge silky, plume-like panicles of flowers on stout two-metre-long stems. The flowers, usually male and female spikelets, are produced on separate plants. Female spikelets have long silky hairs at the bases. There are usually silvery white or gold or pink and can be dried for winter arrangements. They last long and look graceful in containers kept near staircases, entrances and corners.
Pampas grass is used as isolated specimens to decorate flowerbeds and for cut flowers. They grow in fertile well-drained soil in full sun, with ample space to develop. The plants need to be watered twice a week. Propagation is by division. Protect crowns of young plants. Cut dead foliage and stems annually, taking care to avoid the sharp leaf margins.
Try to obtain female plants as these have the best flower heads. Pampas grass is not a plant for small gardens or protected entryways.
They are great to set off by the side of swimming pools and lawns. Pampas grass (Cortaderia argentea) is also known as Cordereia selloana. Cortaderia aureolinaka has rich yellow-margined leaves ageing to dark golden yellow and creamy white plumes. Cortaderia pumila bears mid-green leaves and masses of erect silvery yellow plumes. Cortaderia rendatleri has purplish pink panicles.
CHITRA RADHAKRISHNAN
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