Avalanche Feather Reed Grass

Avalanche is a clump-forming feather reed grass with a white central band in its green leaves. Purplish summer flower panicles fade to golden brown and remain above the foliage through winter, adding a strong vertical element to borders and prairie-style plantings. ## Identification and size The [Royal Horticultural Society profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/239996/calamagrostis-avalanche/details) describes ‘Avalanche’ as a deciduous, clump-forming grass, reaching 1–1.5 m tall and 0.5–1 m wide. It lists full sun or partial shade and moist but well-drained soil. The RHS profile labels the name a synonym; the cultivar traits are specific to the named plant. ## Seasonal display The flower panicles appear in summer and fade to golden brown. Leave the stems standing for winter structure, then cut old growth to the ground in early spring before new growth resumes. ## Maintenance Grow in moist, well-drained soil and provide sun or partial shade. Cut back old stems in early spring. RHS reports a mature height of 1–1.5 m and spread of 0.5–1 m; a Chicago Botanic Garden trial measured 50 in tall by 30 in wide. Allow space for the broad clump ([Chicago Botanic Garden trial](https://www.chicagobotanic.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/FG213_High-ranking%20Reed%20Grasses.pdf)).