Calamagrostis acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ was introduced into cultivation in the 1950’s by the acclaimed German horticulturist Karl Foerster, who spotted it as a distinct, garden-worthy plant in the Hamburg Botanical Garden in the 1930’s. Reaching 2.5m in height it brings added height and columnar structure to a mixed or herbaceous border in full sun, though it also grows well in containers. Purple-flushed flowers are produced in May, and as the season progresses the seed heads take on a warm buff colour. One of approximately 250 species of cool season grasses, Calamagrostis takes its name from the Greek kalamos (reed), and agrostis (grass-like), hence the common name reed grass.