Pampas Grass

Does anyone know of a variety of Pampas Grass (the one with the big white plumes) that can be succesfully cultivated in zone 4? I see clumps all over, but every catalog lists it in zones no lower than 5. Any help would be appreciated!!

I wasn't able to locate any place that recommended it as hardy below zone 7. However, if it's growing all over the place, then I would say it is hardy in your area. Do you know any of the people who have a clump of it? Maybe you could to knock on the door and ask if you can have a part of it from the edge of the clump?

Karen

Cortaderia jubata as far as I know is the hardiest one, I've usually seen it listed as hardy to zone 5a, but it could be it's actually hardier than it gets credit for, or else your winters have been mild enough lately that it's been able to make it (being hardy to zone 5a means it can take temps down to -20F, so if you haven't been colder than that in recent years that could explain why you're seeing it around). The more common variety (at least in warmer areas) C. selloana is only hardy to zone 7. It's also possible what you're seeing is some other type of grass entirely and not a Cortaderia species at all, if you could get a picture of it someone might be able to ID it for you.

Pampas Grass (Gramineae) is normally as tough as old boots, and I feel sure if you gave it a good thick mulch in winter time, it would do OK, the one called Argentea or Selloana, has long plumes of feathery silver coloured plumes on them and the female ones have the largest flower heads/plumes, can grow to about 6/9 feet, there is also a lovely pink plumed one more uncommon and is very graceful too, but not everywhere stocks this one, sorry but dont know the name of it.
Do remember that these plants can really take over a large area with roots, Over here in my garden, early spring I set fire to all the dead foliage and it cleans the plant as cutting it is really dangerous as the leaves are like razors, by burning all the old foliage, the new shoots soon come right out the soil, dont do this with a new plant, I am talking about a well established plant that has grown far too big. Also make sure you plant it in the right place first time as the roots are a devil to get rid off. good luck. WeeNel.

I think some the ones you're mentioning are Cortaderia selloana which is only hardy to zone 7, they're not going to make it in Wisconsin in zone 4. I think Cortaderia jubata is a much better bet, it's only one zone off on the hardiness so would be much more likely to survive. I've never seen it, but from what I've read it can tend to have pinker plumes than C. selloana, so maybe that's the pink one you've seen.

That may be the pink one Ecrane, it was very nice and more delicate than the other silver plumed one, also it looked unusual too which was a complete change to see this growing. thanks for that. WeeNel.

Are you absolutely stuck on Pampass Grass? There are several Miscanthus sinensis that are hardy to zone 4: Huron Sentinel, and Huron Sunrise. They remain standing and keep their plumes all winter.

Thank you so much everyone for your great advice and suggestions. I will definately check out the Maiden Grass, too! Becky