Purple Smallreed

Calamagrostis canescens

Native to:
Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Krym, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Calamagrostis
Species:
Calamagrostis canescens
USDA Symbol:
CACA80

Growth Characteristics

Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
120 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, wetland mammals
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fall Color:
tan, golden

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, nutrient-rich, loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
commonly found in wetlands and marshy areas

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Seeds require light for germination. Surface sow and maintain consistent moisture at cool temperatures.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI