Cortaderia selloana Splendid Star - Pampas Grass

IMPORTANT: for the preservation of our natural ecosystems, we have removed this plant from our catalogue as it is considered invasive. It is therefore no longer available for sale.

The Cortaderia selloana 'Splendid Star’ is a new variety of Pampas Grass with semi-evergreen light green foliage broadly edged with golden yellow, particularly attractive and bright. In late summer, remarkable plume-like and silky panicles of a tender pale silver blonde rise above the foliage. With its moderate growth and compact habit, this beautiful perennial grass will be perfect for small spaces, as a border plant or even in a large pot on the terrace.

The Cortaderia selloana, also known as Gynerium or Cortaderia argentea, is a large and highly ornamental grass belonging to the Poaceae family. It is native to South America, specifically Argentina and Brazil, where it abundantly covers road edges, trailsides, stream banks, and fallow areas through self-seeding. This plant is characterised by its great adaptability to the soil it inhabits, even tolerating the semi-arid conditions of subtropical climates. It is a dioecious plant, meaning there are male and female plants. It has given rise to many cultivars, with varying degrees of hardiness.

The 'Splendid Star’ variety distinguishes itself from the typical species by its lower and more compact habit, as well as its variegated foliage. This grass forms a clump of linear, evergreen foliage in milder winters. The leaves are sharp, tough, and rustle when touched. The mature plant will reach a height of 1.20 m (4ft) when in flower, with a spread of 80 cm (32in) to 1 metre (3 feet). Its slightly arching habit resembles that of a fountain. The leaves are a tender green, margined with bright yellow. Its splendid inflorescences appear in late summer, in August-September, at the centre of the shrub, in the form of large plume-like panicles, 30 to 50 cm (12 to 20in) long, which remain on the plant at least until November, while taking on intense silvery reflections. They are borne on sturdy cylindrical stems that are highly wind-resistant. When both male and female individuals are present, the female plants produce a large quantity of seeds that are dispersed by the wind.

This large grass has been ubiquitous in our gardens since the 1960s. The only point that can perhaps be emphasised is the improper use that has been made of it. It's true that it looks a bit ridiculous, planted there all alone in the middle of a lawn, when it is so beautiful when used in mass plantings or in a flower bed among bushes. The Cortaderia selloana 'Splendid Star’ indeed forms beautiful shrubs with a very exotic appearance, but it should not be adopted in the garden without careful consideration; its motto could well be: "I'm here, I'm staying!" This undemanding grass has the advantage of adapting to all gardens with mild climates, even small ones. Designed for large beds, its strong presence brings structure and grace, if given the space to express itself. Contemplative gardeners should place it among asters, behind chrysanthemums, cotinus, or repeat-flowering roses, and let it grow and flourish. In urban areas, Pampas Grass blends well with its pastel colours as it softens angles without causing offence. It is easy to grow in the sun, even in salty soil. In this regard, it is perfect for coastal gardens. 'Splendid Star’  looks great in a beautiful blue terracotta pot, highlighting its bright foliage and instantly beautifying balconies and patios.

Caution: Pampas Grass can be invasive. Escaping from gardens, it takes over fallow lands, sandy areas, wetlands... causing significant ecological problems. If you live in an affected area by this, we recommend not planting it. It can be replaced by numerous architectural grasses, such as Miscanthus.