Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila' plume (05/11/2011, London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: LAte sumer/ autumn
Soil: Well-drained
Eventual Height: 1.5m
Eventual Spread: 1.2m
Hardiness: USDA Zones 6b – 10b
Family: Poaceae
Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila’ is a dwarf variety of the perennial Pampas Grass. It’s foliage forms dense tussocks and are mid green in colour. It’s leaves are narrow and have quite rough and sharp margins. The flowers form whiteish plumes which appear in mounds above the sharp edged leaves in early autumn. The dense white panicles are 20 – 40 cm in length.
C. selloana ‘Pumila’ is commonly known as Dwarf Pampas Grass. The species is native to southern South America and its common name Pampas is named after the Pampas region in South America from where this plant is native.
The etymological root of the binomial name Cortaderia is derived from the Argentine name, Cortadera meaning cutting. The term Selloana is named after Friedrich Sello, the early 19th century German explorer who collected specimens in South America. It was a popular ornamental grass of the Victorian era. Pumila is derived from the Latin pumillus ‘dwarf’ refering to its habit.
Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila' (05/11/2011, London)
The landscape architect may find Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila’ useful for its architectural form and autumn flowering plumes. It looks fantastic when planted en mass. It may be panted as an informal hedge This plant is drought tolerant once established.
C. selloana ‘Pumila’ has been awarded the prestigious Royal Horticultural Societies annual Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
C. selloana ‘Pulmina’ prefers a fertile, well-drained soil. It will tolerate most pH of soils. It will not tolerate waterloged soils.
Maintenance: This plant requires little maintenance. The plumes may be removed after the winter months just before the spring growth starts.
