White (occasionally
pink) 30-36 inches long - panicle 1˝-3 feet
long, plumy and fluffy. The best plumes are
borne on female (pistillate) plants.
September
Numerous long,
narrow leaves, serrated margins, with tufted
hairs at the throat of the
sheath.
None serious.
'Aureo-lineata' ('Gold Band'). The leaves are
broad-margined with a rich yellow, 5-6 feet tall.
'Pumila' - Dwarf form with 3 feet tall foliage and 6 feet
tall flower stalks.
'Sunnydale Silver' - The flower heads
are a glistening silver and extend well
above the foliage.
This is generally a
plant for milder, southern zones but may
overwinter in the north with a mild winter,
heavy snow cover and mulch but do not count on
it. If it lives through, consider it a bonus.
The term cortaderia means "cutting" and
is associated with the sharp leaf margins.
