Cortaderia selloana 'Giant White' is a towering ornamental grass prized for its dramatic height and showy white plumes that emerge in late summer. With its bold vertical presence and dense clumping form it serves as a striking focal point or living screen in large landscapes. The arching foliage provides movement and structure while the fluffy flower heads add texture and visual interest into fall and winter.
Height & Spread: 84 - 120 in x 48 - 72 in
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Well drained soils; tolerant of sandy or rocky sites
Watering Needs: Low once established; prefers dry to moderately moist conditions
Deer Resistance: Rarely browsed due to coarse foliage and height
Native Status
Native to South America, specifically Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. Though not native to North America, it is widely used in cultivated landscapes for its impressive size and low maintenance needs.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Birds
- Feathery plumes provide nesting material and dense foliage offers cover for small birds such as sparrows and wrens.
Beneficial Insects
- Stalk bases and foliage clumps harbor ground beetles and other predatory insects that benefit garden pest control.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Plant 48 - 72 in apart to accommodate mature size and airflow especially when massing for screens.
Landscape Placement:
- Use as a dramatic specimen, in back borders, or as a natural privacy screen. Pairs well with lower growing sun loving perennials and bold succulents.
Companion Plants
- Agastache foeniculum (Anise Hyssop) - Spikes of purple blooms and fragrant foliage create a contrast in form and pollinator value.
- Gaillardia aristata (Blanket Flower) - Warm tones of red and yellow blend with the ivory plumes and thrive in similar dry soils.
- Achillea millefolium 'Paprika' - Feathery foliage and rich coral red blooms soften the strong vertical lines of Cortaderia.
- Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' - Fine textured golden flowers provide a tidy base and long blooming cheer beneath the arching foliage.
- Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' - Dark vertical flower spikes echo the grass's height while offering long seasonal color.