Eldorado Feather Reed Grass

Eldorado is an upright feather reed grass distinguished by golden-yellow centers in its green leaf blades and golden flower rachises. Its flowering stems rise above cascading foliage, with plumes appearing in late spring and persisting into winter. ## Cultivar and size The [cultivar patent](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP16486P2/en) identifies ‘Eldorado’ as a distinct Calamagrostis × acutiflora selection. It describes a clump-forming plant with upright flowering culms, cascading foliage, and golden-yellow centers bordered by green. The patent reports flowering culms reaching about 5–6 ft, flowering beginning in late May, and inflorescences retained into winter. ## Siting The patent describes good growth in reasonably moist soil, including heavy clay, in full sun to part shade. Its reported hardiness reaches USDA Zone 4. The flower stems add vertical structure while the variegated leaves distinguish this selection from green-leaved ‘Karl Foerster’. ## Maintenance Leave the persistent flower stems standing for winter interest and cut back old growth before spring growth resumes. The patent describes flowering culms about 5–6 ft tall and foliage spreading 2–3 ft; a Chicago Botanic Garden trial measured 60 in high by 30 in wide ([trial results](https://www.chicagobotanic.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/FG213_High-ranking%20Reed%20Grasses.pdf)).