Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Overdam': Overdam Feather Reed Grass

Graceful and glowing, Calamagrostis 'Overdam' brings subtle elegance and soft variegation to the sunlit garden. Its narrow green blades are striped with creamy white, forming upright clumps that add lightness and texture from spring to fall. In early summer, airy bronze-pink flower plumes rise above the foliage and age to buff tan, holding beautifully into winter. More compact than many feather reed grasses, 'Overdam' is ideal for smaller spaces, containers, and border repetition where form and finesse are equally valued.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 90–120 cm (in bloom)
• Spread: 45–60 cm
• Flower Colour: Bronze-pink maturing to tan
• Flowering Period: Early to mid-summer
• Foliage: Narrow green leaves with creamy white variegation; upright habit
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to light shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; tolerates clay and moderate drought

Uses and Benefits: 'Overdam' is perfect for adding vertical structure and foliage brightness to mixed borders, urban plantings, or naturalistic designs. Its restrained size and tidy form make it well-suited to smaller gardens or as a repeating accent in long beds. This grass pairs effortlessly with perennials and provides season-long interest—even after the plumes fade, the variegated foliage continues to enliven the garden. Deer resistant and easy to grow, it’s a dependable design tool with quiet charm.

Companion Plants: Pair Calamagrostis 'Overdam' with the delicate white sprays of Aster ericoides, the rich ruby blooms of Echinacea 'Sunny Days Ruby', and the compact golden daisies of Rudbeckia 'Little Goldstar'. This vibrant mix creates a long-blooming, pollinator-friendly planting with strong contrast in colour, height, and form.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun to light shade and water regularly during the first growing season. Cut back to 10–15 cm in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Divide every few years in spring to maintain vigour. Avoid overly rich soils to preserve the upright habit.

History: 'Overdam' is a variegated selection of Calamagrostis × acutiflora, a hybrid of European and Asian reed grasses known for their tidy, vertical form. Developed in the Netherlands, it offers a more compact alternative to 'Karl Foerster', with soft variegation that adds brightness to plantings of all styles.

Final Thoughts: Light, clean-lined, and effortlessly versatile, 'Overdam' brings a touch of refinement to any sunny garden. It’s a feather reed grass that shines quietly—elevating its companions and anchoring designs with understated elegance.