Dwarf Pampas Grass

‘Pumila’ is a compact selection of pampas grass, with evergreen, arching foliage and silky creamy-white plumes held above the leaves in late summer. The cultivar name is spelled Pumila; both the [Royal Horticultural Society](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/4435/cortaderia-selloana-pumila/details) and the [Chicago Botanic Garden](https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plant-information/plant-finder/cortaderia-selloana-pumila-dwarf-pampas-grass) identify this named selection. ## Form and garden use RHS gives a mature range of 1–1.5 metres tall and 0.5–1 metre wide, while the Chicago Botanic Garden describes clumps about 5 feet tall with flower spikes reaching 8 feet. The sources use different mature-size measures, particularly whether the flowering stems are included, so allow room for the taller plumes as well as the leaf clump. Plant it in full sun as a focal grass or in a spacious border; the narrow leaves have sharp edges. ## Growing conditions Choose fertile, well-drained soil and allow space for a mature clump. The Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA zones 7–11. RHS gives UK hardiness H6, which is a separate rating and is not converted here. Its creamy plumes are useful as a late-season garden feature and can also be dried. ## Maintenance Cut and comb out the previous season’s stems and dead foliage in late winter or early spring, protecting hands and arms from sharp leaf margins. RHS gives a 0.5–1 metre spread for the foliage clump, while Chicago Botanic Garden reports a taller measurement that includes flowering stems.