Mendocino Reed Grass (Calamagrostis foliosa) | California Native Bunchgrass

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Mendocino Reed Grass

Calamagrostis foliosa

A compact, rare California native bunchgrass with blue-green foliage, purple highlights, and long-lasting silvery-purple flower spikes.

$19.90

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Description

Calamagrostis foliosa, commonly known as Mendocino Reed Grass or Leafy Reed Grass, is a beautiful, compact California native bunchgrass prized for its dense, fountain-like form, striking blue-green to gray-green foliage, and showy, long-lasting flower spikes . This cool-season perennial forms a tidy, evergreen clump of narrow, arching leaves that often develop attractive purple highlights, especially in cooler months . From mid-spring through early summer, it produces short, arching flower stalks bearing silvery-purple to buff-colored seed heads that age to a warm golden wheat tone, extending ornamental interest into fall . Exceptionally well-behaved, drought-tolerant once established, and resistant to deer and herbivores, it is an outstanding choice for mass plantings, meadows, slopes, coastal gardens, and small-space accents in water-wise landscapes . Note: This rare California native (CNPS 4.2) does not respond well to hard cutting back; instead, rake out dead thatch or divide clumps in late winter or spring .

Quick Facts

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Foliage & Flowers: Dense, tufted fountain-like clump of narrow, arching, blue-green to gray-green leaves (often with purple highlights); short arching flower stalks with silvery-purple to buff seed heads aging to golden wheat, blooming in mid-spring through early summer .
Mature Height: 12-18 inches (foliage); flower stalks to 24-30 inches .
Mature Spread: 12-24 inches (1-2 ft) .
Growth Rate: Moderate .
Hardiness Zones: USDA 8-9 (tolerates down to approx. 10-15°F) .
Light Requirement: Full sun along coast; light shade or afternoon shade in hot inland areas .
Core Benefits: Compact tidy form, blue-green foliage with purple highlights, long-lasting flower spikes, drought tolerant, deer resistant, rare California native.
Best Uses: Mass plantings, meadows, slopes (erosion control), coastal gardens, small-space gardens, rock gardens, containers.

Faqs

Q: How large does Mendocino Reed Grass get?
A: It forms a dense, fountain-like clump, typically reaching 12-18 inches in height(foliage) with flower stalks rising to 24-30 inches. It spreads 12-24 inches wide.

Q: Is it drought tolerant?
A: Yes, once established, it requires little to no summer water in coastal areas. In hotter inland sites, it looks best with occasional to regular summer irrigation .

Q: How much sun does it need?
A: Plant in full sun along the coast. In hot inland areas, provide light shade or afternoon shade to prevent leaf scorch .

Q: How should I prune or maintain it?
A: Do not chop back this plant — it does not respond well to hard cutting back . Instead, run a hard rake through the clumps to remove dead thatch, or divide clumps in late winter or spring when actively growing .

Q: Is it deer resistant?
A: Yes, it is resistant to predation by deer and other herbivores .

Q: Is it a true native? Is it rare?
A: Yes, it is native to the northern California coast (Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino counties). It is listed by the State of California as Rare (CNPS 4.2) , a plant of limited distribution .

Q: Can it be grown in containers?
A: Yes, its compact size and tidy form make it an excellent choice for containers and small-space gardens .

📍 Primary Delivery Area · San Francisco Bay Area

Local delivery across the Bay Area — and beyond.

San Francisco Bay Area is our primary local delivery market. Victory Nursery also serves additional California markets and selected extended delivery areas by arrangement.

Regular local delivery: San Francisco, Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, Marin, Tracy / Mountain House and surrounding service areas.

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