Back in the 70s and 80s, Pampas grass was all the rage. A favourite position was to have it in the front lawn. If two or three years later you decided to remove it, you would have a helluva job digging it up.

However, if you had left it for ten years, you would  probably have found it necessary to hire a digger.

In our garden

We really did want the Pumila pampas grass in our garden, but the borders were full.  Well, what can you do, another potted plant to care for, I say care for, only because plants in the border are pretty good at looking after themselves whereas the potted ones tend to make life a little more difficult, well, especially regarding the watering.

Not to worry, this is its third year in the pot and it’s looking pretty good placed in a sunny sheltered position in the front garden, well it’s really an area of the drive, but when you are stuck for space anywhere is a good place.

Plant profile

Cortaderia pumila pampas grass, perfect as a feature plant for the smaller garden or equally good in the mixed border.

Height

Your Pumila Pampas grass will grow to a height of 4/5 feet -120/150cm. Spread will be about 3feet- 90cm, perhaps a little wider.

Position

Does best in full sun

Flowers and leaves

The creamy white flower plumes will appear early to late Autumn and will look good all through the Winter.

The leaves are narrow mid-green and sharp enough to cut your hand. Wear gloves when tidying up the foliage in Spring.

Soil

Any reasonable garden soil that is free draining.

Update — A few weks later, now in April, I think Pumila is looking even better

Where have all the garden birds gone

Back in early Winter, we  noticed a decline in the garden birds at our feeders, and yet, look who turns up at our Rowan tree in the courtyard.

A (Mistle Thrush) why is this cause for excitement, well, in the five years we have been in our Fife home this is the first sighting of a thrush.

What have we here, a Sparrowhawk

Turning up about the same time as the Mistle Thrush, this Sparrowhawk perhaps answers the question as to where the garden birds have gone.

Now in late Winter/early Spring, our regular feathered friends are returning.