Preparing the soil: Average soils, tolerates clay Hardy: Zone 5 (up to 8,000 feet) This is one dramatic grass, grown for its tall, stately flower plumes that can reach up to 12 feet.

Pampas grass, used in decorating, is easy to establish and very hardy. Leaf blades typically grow 6- to 8 feet tall and are extremely sharp; they can cut you. The flower plumes grow as tall as 3 ...

P ampas grass is a wonderful ornamental grass with lush panicles that offer a restful break from the green of a typical yard.

Other types of pampas grass plumes look white, silver, cream, or bluish-green. There's even a purple one called Andean pampas grass that can grow up to 22 feet tall.

True pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) also grows 6 to 7 feet tall with plumes that push up another foot or two. This one is borderline hardy for our area, though.

Pampas grass needs full sun all day long to bloom. Finally, poorly drained soil can cause a mature pampas grass to stop sending up plumes.

Most varieties of pampas grass have tall, silvery or creamy-white plumes but pink-plumed varieties are a distinctive display in the landscape. The dwarf variety, 'Ivory Feathers’, has a mature ...

With plumes that bring to mind ostrich feathers, pampas grass first became popular in the Victorian era. Fluffy seed heads decorated the most fashionable hats, homes, even carriages. Interest ...

Pampas grass shines in the fall and winter landscape. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette/Janet B. Carson) Q The plume of my Pampas grass plant was broken off by a grandchild.