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Products > Calamagrostis 'Little Nootka'
 
Calamagrostis 'Little Nootka' - Little Nootka Reed Grass

Note: This plant is no longer in stock. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.  

 
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Grass
Family: Poaceae (Gramineae) (Grasses)
Origin: California (U.S.A.)
California Native (Plant List): Yes
Evergreen: Yes
Flower Color: Wheat
Bloomtime: Spring/Summer
Parentage: (C. nutkaensis 'The King' x C. foliosa)
Height: 1-2 feet
Width: 1-2 feet
Exposure: Sun or Shade
Summer Dry: Yes
Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: 10-15° F
Calamagrostis 'Little Nootka' – An ornamental evergreen grass that grows 1 to 2 feet tall with mid green foliage and slightly arching inflorescences of light colored flowers. Plant in full sun to light shade with occasional irrigation. Hardiness is not known but both parent species are hardy below 10° F. Both species are also noted as fairly resistant to predation by deer so likely this grass should fair well in this regards and be good in most California gardens where it should provide a nice texture and flowering accent. 'Little Nootka' is a very new grass for us that was a selection made by Josh Williams at Cal Flora Nursery in Fulton, CA. It reportedly is a cross of the Mendocino Reed Grass, Calamagrostis foliosa, with the large selection of the Pacific Reedgrass, Calamagrostis nutkaensis from the King Range that Roger Raiche named 'The King'. The foliage more resembles Calamagrostis nutkaensis but it is shorter in stature with flowers that are a little more arching under their own weight as they open, like Calamagrostis foliosa. Both of these native grasses are attractive species that can perform well in central California coastal gardens, but do a bit better in northern California and Calamagrostis nutkaensis requires regular irrigation to look its best. Early trials of this hybrid indicate has better drought tolerance and so might also perform better than its parents in drier Southern California. We received our trial plants of this cultivar from the "grassman" John Greenlee and are looking forward to having our first crops of this plant out in the nursery sometime in 2021. 

The information displayed on this page about Calamagrostis 'Little Nootka' is based on the research we have conducted about it in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about this plant as it grows in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant have performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we have received from others and welcome hearing from anyone with information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information that will aid others to better grow it.

 
San Marcos Growers, established in 1979, closed for regular business on December 23rd 2025 as the property will be developed for affordable housing.
The gates are closed but we will be open by appointment only as we liquidate remaining plants, supplies and equipment. Our remaining plants are listed on our Live Inventory Page.
 
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