The Perennial Plant Association awarded the title of Perennial Plant of the Year 2001 to Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' (Feather Reed Grass). The botanical name is from the Greek kalamos, a reed, and agrostis, a grass. This highly acclaimed grass cultivar is one of the most versatile, attractive, and low maintenance ornamental grasses. The deep green, shiny foliage of this cool season grass appears in early spring and lasts until early winter. Loose, feathery flower inflorescences appear in June and are initially light pink in color. As the seed heads mature, they become very narrow with a golden tan color that lasts through the fall season. The growth habit is vertical with a tuft of foliage 2-3 feet tall and flower stems to 5 feet in height. The narrow, tight habit of this cultivar creates an 18-inch wide clump. In mild winters the foliage rosettes remain evergreen or may show some growth.