Cortaderia selloana Evita - Pampas Grass

IMPORTANT: for the preservation of our natural ecosystems, we have removed this plant from our catalogue as it is considered invasive. Therefore, it is no longer available for sale.

Cortaderia selloana 'Evita', better known as 'Evita' Pampas Grass, is an excellent variety with moderate growth and a more compact habit, which stands out for its early flowering, often starting in June. From summer to autumn, you will appreciate its remarkable feathery and silky panicles in a tender pale silver-blond colour. This beautiful perennial grass, awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 2009, is easy to grow in the sun, even in salty soil. As such, it is perfect for coastal gardens.

Cortaderia selloana, also known as Gynerium or Cortaderia argentea, is a large and highly ornamental grass belonging to the Poaceae family. It is native to South America, specifically Argentina and Brazil, where it extensively colonises roadsides, trailsides, stream banks, and fallow areas in disturbed zones by self-seeding abundantly. This plant is characterised by its great adaptability to the soil in which it grows, even tolerating the semi-arid conditions of subtropical climates. It is a dioecious plant, meaning that there are male and female plants. It has given rise to numerous cultivars, with varying levels of hardiness.

The 'Evita' variety distinguishes itself from the typical species mainly by its lower and more compact habit, as well as its early flowering. This grass forms a clump of linear, evergreen foliage, which remains intact during mild winters. The leaves are sharp, tough, and rustling. The mature plant reaches a height of 1.50 m (5ft) when in flower, with a spread of approximately 1.20 m (4ft). Its slightly arched habit somewhat resembles that of a fountain. The leaves have a fairly intense grey-green-blue colour. Its splendid flower heads appear in late summer, in August-September, at the centre of the tuft, in the form of large feathery panicles, measuring 30 to 50 cm (12 to 20in) in length, which remain on the plant at least until November, while acquiring intense silver reflections. They are borne on sturdy cylindrical stems that are highly wind-resistant. When male and female individuals are present, the female plants produce a large quantity of seeds that are dispersed by the wind.

This large grass has been present in our gardens since the 1960s, so it needs no introduction. The only point that can perhaps be emphasised is the misuse that has been made of it. It is true that it looks a bit ridiculous when planted all alone in the middle of a lawn, while it is so beautiful when used en masse or in a flower bed among shrubs. The Cortaderia selloana 'Evita' is a very exotic plant and forms large tufts. However, it is essential to carefully consider before planting it in the garden. This grass is not demanding and can adapt to any garden except the smallest ones. It is best suited for large borders where its strong presence brings structure and grace, provided it has enough space to grow. Plant it among asters, behind chrysanthemums or perpetual roses, and let it grow and fill out. It looks mesmerising in a wild and tousled ambiance or modern and sleek settings when it plays with the wind and bends under the rain showers. In urban areas, pastel-coloured pampas grasses integrate well and soften the edges without clashing. They look magnificent near water features when accompanied by vernonias in well-drained soil.