Lightning Strike Feather Reed Grass
Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Lightning Strike'
Growing zones
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4-9
Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Lightning Strike'
Status: In stock
Product ID#: gligh
Starting at:
$26.99
Starting at:
Product Description
Sun Exposure
Sun
Bloom Time
Summer, Fall
Soil Conditions
Normal
Fall Color
Yellow
Flower Color
Purple, Yellow
Mature Plant Size (H x W)
2-3' x 18-24"
Lightning Strike is like a smaller, variegated Karl Foerster grass. Great for when you still want a tall, narrow accent, but one with some pizzazz! Creamy white variegation runs through the cool, green leaves. Summer brings airy, purple plumes that dry to a golden wheat color in fall. This cool-season grass is a great addition to your garden!
Photos Courtesy of Growing Colors.
- Sun
Mature Plant Size (H x W):
2-3' x 18-24" 
Bloom Season:
Summer, Fall
Key features
- Attracts Birds
- Deer Resistant
- Drought Tolerant
- Winter Interest
- Low Maintenance
- Long Blooming
- Rain Gardens
Planting Care
Planting & Care for Lightning Strike® Feather Reed Grass
Opening Plant Material
- Container: Saturate container plants thoroughly before planting by submerging them in a larger container of water until bubbling stops, then remove. Dig a hole no deeper than the container depth and at least 6" wider on all sides.
Planting
- Choose the Right Spot: Plant Lightning Strike® Feather Reed Grass in full sun to partial shade. Full sun (6+ hours daily) produces the most upright, architectural form and the most vivid variegation. It is one of the few ornamental grasses that performs reliably in partial shade, making it exceptionally versatile in the home landscape.
- Ornamental Features: Lightning Strike® is prized for its bold, creamy-white center-striped foliage that resembles bolts of lightning shooting from the ground. In early summer, feathery pink-purple plumes rise above the foliage on 36" stems, maturing to golden tan and persisting through fall and winter for four-season landscape interest.
- Cool-Season Grass: Lightning Strike® is a cool-season ornamental grass, meaning it breaks dormancy early in spring, grows actively through spring and early summer, blooms in early summer, and may slow or go semi-dormant during the hottest weeks of midsummer before rebounding in fall. This is completely normal behavior.
- Soil: Lightning Strike® thrives in moist, well-draining soil but is remarkably adaptable to loam, clay, and average garden soils. It does not like to stay bone dry for extended periods. If your soil is sandy and drains too quickly, incorporate organic compost at planting to improve moisture retention.
- Planting Time: The best time to plant Lightning Strike® Feather Reed Grass is in spring or early fall. Spring planting gives the grass a full cool growing season to establish before summer heat.
- Spacing: Space plants 24" apart for mass plantings or ground cover use. Allow 24-30" for individual specimens. Lightning Strike® forms a tidy, upright clump 2-3 feet wide and does not spread aggressively, making it well-suited for borders, walkways, and containers.
Watering
- Watering Frequency: Water deeply twice per week during the first growing season to encourage deep root establishment. Consistent moisture is the key to keeping the foliage lush and preventing tip browning during hot periods.
- Established Plants: Once established, Lightning Strike® develops good drought tolerance. However, during the hottest weeks of summer, supplemental watering every 7-10 days will keep the foliage looking its best and prevent early dormancy. Curling or browning blade tips are a reliable sign the plant needs water.
- Wet Site Tolerance: Lightning Strike® tolerates periodically moist to wet soils, making it a good candidate for rain gardens, pond margins, and low areas in the landscape that hold moisture after rain.
- Avoid Overwatering: While appreciating consistent moisture, Lightning Strike® does not tolerate standing water or permanently waterlogged soil. Good drainage is essential to prevent crown and root rot.
Fertilizing
- Fertilizer Type: Lightning Strike® is a moderate feeder. Apply a balanced slow-release granular fertilizer (10-10-10) in early spring as new growth begins to emerge. A second light application in early summer can support healthy growth and plume development.
- Application: Broadcast fertilizer evenly around the base of the clump, avoiding direct contact with the crown. Do not over-fertilize as excess nitrogen produces lush, floppy growth that undermines the plant's attractive upright habit.
Mulching
- Mulch: Apply a 2-3" layer of organic mulch (shredded bark or wood chips) around the base of the plant to retain soil moisture, which is particularly important during summer dry spells, and to suppress competing weeds. Keep mulch pulled back slightly from the crown to allow good air circulation and prevent rot.
Pruning and Maintenance
- Annual Cutback: Lightning Strike® is a deciduous grass that should be cut back once per year in late winter or very early spring typically late February to mid-March, before new green shoots emerge from the base. Think of it as the plant's annual reset. Use sharp shears or hedge trimmers to cut the entire clump down to 3-4" above ground level.
- Crown Caution: The crown of the grass may not be readily visible in late winter before growth resumes. Take care not to disturb or damage the crown when cutting back or working around the plant in early spring.
- Winter Interest: Leave stems and plumes standing through fall and winter. They provide beautiful golden-tan structure in the winter landscape and support overwintering beneficial insects. Cut back only in late winter just before new growth begins.
- Dividing: Divide clumps every 3-4 years in early spring or early fall to rejuvenate growth and prevent the center of the clump from dying out. Dig up the entire clump, divide into sections with healthy roots, and replant at the same depth.
Landsape Uses & Design Tips
- Versatile Design Plant: Lightning Strike® is one of the most versatile ornamental grasses for home landscapes. Its bold vertical form and striking white-striped foliage make it an ideal focal point, border accent, or mass planting along walkways, driveways, and retaining walls.
- Container Gardening: Lightning Strike® performs beautifully in large outdoor containers and planters, where its upright, arching form adds height, movement, and texture to patio and deck arrangements.
- Companion Planting: Pairs exceptionally well with bold-flowered perennials such as Purple Coneflower (Echinacea), Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium), Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), and Salvia. The white-striped foliage provides an elegant contrast to rich purples, pinks, and yellows.
- Cut & Dried Arrangements: The feathery plumes of Lightning Strike® are excellent for fresh-cut and dried floral arrangements, adding graceful texture and movement to bouquets and seasonal displays.
Winter Care
- Cold Hardiness: Lightning Strike® Feather Reed Grass is cold-hardy in USDA Zones 4-9 and requires no winter protection in most climates. It is tolerant of both cold winters and summer heat, making it a reliable performer across a wide geographic range.
- Leave Standing: Do not cut the grass back in fall. Allow stems and plumes to stand through the winter months for ornamental interest and wildlife benefit. Cut back to 3-4" in late February or March before new growth resumes.
Pests and Diseases
- Excellent Resistance: Lightning Strike® Feather Reed Grass is highly resistant to both pests and disease, making it one of the lowest-maintenance ornamental grasses available for home landscapes.
- Pests: Aphids occasionally appear on new spring growth but rarely cause serious harm. Treat with insecticidal soap or a strong blast of water if populations are heavy. Lightning Strike® is deer and rabbit resistant, making it a smart choice for gardens with wildlife pressure.
- Rust Disease: Rust (a fungal disease causing orange-brown spots on foliage) can occasionally affect Feather Reed Grass in humid conditions. Ensure good air circulation through proper spacing, avoid overhead watering, and remove affected foliage. Serious outbreaks are uncommon when plants are sited appropriately.
- Urban Tolerance: Lightning Strike® is notably tolerant of urban pollution, heat, and compacted soils, making it a reliable choice for city gardens, streetscapes, and challenging landscape environments.
Planting & Handling Help
Download our Planting and Handling Guide below to plan for a successful arrival and install of your plants. Be sure to water all plants as soon as they arrive and every day until you’re ready to plant. Keep any bare root bundles in a shady, cool spot with the roots covered at all times.
Learn More
Watch our videos on handling bare root plants, how your order is prepared for shipment and more.
Plant Sizing
What is the difference between Containers, Grow Bags, Bare Root, and Balled & Burlap (B&B)?
Shipping Times
Our FedEx and local shipping times depend on two factors, one is by the region and the second is the type of product being shipped. For example, small fruits are only shipped in spring, but majority of our perennials are shipped from spring until fall. Keep in mind the dates below act as a general guide. Due to unpredictable weather, staffing, inventory and industry demands these timelines can change. Therefore, we cannot guarantee any of these times.
Shipping Dates by Region*
Northern Cold Region: April 22nd - November 7th
Northern Region: April 15th - November 7th
Middle Region: April 1st - November 7th
Southern Region: March 15th - November 7th
Local Delivery (small radius from Waterloo, WI): April 22nd - November 7th
Shipping Dates by Season*
Spring Shipping: Region Start Date (above) - May
Fall Shipping: September - November
Due to unpredictable weather, these times may vary. Some varieties are exceptions due to heat and plant health reasons. Enter your shipping zip code at the top of this page and be sure to check the shipping information on each product before you add it to your cart. If the product is too large or restricted in your state, you will not be able to checkout with that item in your cart.