Calamagrostis 'Eldorado'

Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Eldorado': Eldorado Feather Reed Grass

Upright, golden-edged, and radiating elegance, Calamagrostis 'Eldorado' is a luminous presence in the perennial border. This striking feather reed grass forms vertical clumps of green foliage highlighted by narrow stripes of buttery yellow down each blade. Early in summer, feathery plumes rise above the foliage in shades of soft bronze, maturing to warm tan and holding well into winter. Offering the same tidy, upright habit as 'Karl Foerster', but with the added glow of variegation, 'Eldorado' is both structural and showy.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 120–150 cm (in bloom)
• Spread: 60–75 cm
• Flower Colour: Soft bronze maturing to tan
• Flowering Period: Early to late summer
• Foliage: Green with bright golden-yellow stripes; upright and narrow
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; tolerant of clay and dry spells once established

Uses and Benefits: 'Eldorado' is a vertical accent that brings both colour and structure to the summer and fall garden. It’s perfect for mixed borders, formal lines, pollinator-friendly plantings, or as a soft screen. The vertical form contrasts beautifully with rounded and mounded perennials, while the variegated foliage brightens the border from spring through frost. It’s also deer resistant, low maintenance, and holds its shape well into winter.

Companion Plants: Combine Calamagrostis 'Eldorado' with the soft blue haze of Aster 'October Skies', the sunset-inspired blooms of Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit', and the sunny, daisy-like flowers of Heliopsis 'Summer Sun'. This pairing delivers radiant late-season colour with strong verticals, pollinator appeal, and enduring visual rhythm.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun for best form and strongest variegation. Water regularly during establishment. Cut back to 10–15 cm in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Avoid overly fertile soils to maintain upright structure. Divide every few years in spring to refresh the clump or control spread.

History: 'Eldorado' is a variegated sport of the classic Calamagrostis × acutiflora hybrids, combining the proven garden performance of feather reed grass with bright, gold-striped foliage. It has gained recognition for its consistent vertical form and luminous presence in full sun gardens across North America and Europe.

Final Thoughts: With its golden glow and unwavering form, 'Eldorado' adds light and lift to the garden. It’s a beacon of structure, colour, and long-season performance—sophisticated and strong in every season.