Cortaderia

Sometimes referred to as 'the queen of ornamental grasses', pampas grass is widely grown in warmer parts of the country for its enormous, puffy, white flower plumes. This subspecies offers the opportunity to extend northward the range of cultivation of this handsome species. In addition to being smaller than the usual form of the plant, it is also more cold hardy. Considered hardy in protected situations in zone 6, and with extra protection perhaps even farther north. The plumes are excellent for dried arrangements.