Pampas Grass Cortaderia selloana 'Highfield Pink'

Water

The Pampas Grass 'Highfield Pink' prefers to be watered deeply but infrequently, to mirror natural rainfall. This grass should be watered generously, ensuring that the water penetrates the soil to reach the deep roots, approximately once a week during dry periods. In average conditions, aim for about 1 inch of water per week, whether from rainfall or manual watering. During particularly hot or dry spells, you may need to water twice a week, adjusting to about 1.5 to 2 gallons per plant per watering session to maintain soil moisture.

Light

Pampas Grass 'Highfield Pink' thrives best in full sunlight for at least 6 hours a day, making it ideal for open landscapes where it can receive unfiltered, direct light. An optimal spot for this grass would be an area with southern or western exposure, ensuring that it gets ample sunlight throughout the day to maintain its vibrant color and encourage full plumes.

Temperature

Pampas Grass 'Highfield Pink' is hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but it performs best in environments where the temperature stays between 40°F and 90°F. This grass can survive minimum temperatures down to about 20°F, but for optimal growth and plume production, maintaining conditions within the ideal range is recommended. It is generally advisable to plant it in a location that avoids the extreme cold to prevent frost damage to the foliage.

Pruning

Pampas Grass 'Highfield Pink' should be pruned to remove old foliage and encourage new growth. The best time to prune is late winter or early spring, before new growth starts. Cut back the grass to about 1 to 2 feet from the ground, wearing gloves to protect against the sharp edges of the leaves. Pruning annually will ensure the health of the plant and the development of full, attractive plumes.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Pampas Grass prefers well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.1 to 7.8. A soil mix consisting of loam, sand, and peat works best to ensure proper drainage and aeration. It's important to avoid waterlogged conditions which can lead to root rot.

Repotting

Pampas Grass is a large, fast-growing plant and typically does not require frequent repotting once established outdoors. If grown in containers, it may need repotting every 2-3 years to provide fresh soil and additional space for root growth.

Humidity & Misting

Pampas Grass is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and thrives in average ambient humidity. Excessive humidity is not required; the plant is well-adapted to outdoor conditions where it naturally experiences fluctuations in humidity levels.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Ensure full sun, infrequent watering, and well-draining pot mix.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, space widely, low maintenance.

• Hardiness zone

  7-11 USDA

Life cycle

The Pampas Grass 'Highfield Pink' (Cortaderia selloana 'Highfield Pink') begins its life as seeds that germinate in spring to early summer, requiring warm temperatures and well-drained soil. Seedlings emerge and establish a strong root system, developing into clumps of narrow, arching green leaves. Over the first few years, the grass matures and increases in size, developing its characteristic tussock-forming habit. In late summer to autumn, the mature Pampas Grass produces its distinctive pink feathery plumes that can reach several feet in height, attracting pollinators and providing visual interest. After flowering, the plumes turn to seed, which can be dispersed by wind to propagate new plants. As temperatures cool and winter approaches, the grass may enter a period of dormancy, particularly in colder climates, until warmth and light increase in the spring, triggering a new cycle of growth.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Pampas grass, specifically the Cortaderia selloana 'Highfield Pink', is best propagated by division, which is the process of separating an established clump into several smaller sections. This method is popular because it maintains the characteristics of the parent plant and is relatively simple. Propagation by division is ideally done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. The gardener should dig up the entire plant, ensuring a large root ball is intact, and then use a sharp spade or knife to slice through the dense roots to create new plants, each with a portion of the original root system and several shoots. These divisions can then be replanted immediately, spaced about 6 feet (approximately 1.8 meters) apart to allow sufficient room for growth. It's important to water the new divisions well to help establish them.