On Sat, 5 Nov 2011 22:20:26 +0000, Janet Tweedy
wrote:

In article , Jake
writes
IMO the dwarf variety looks ok as a single specimen and you don't need
massive space to take it. The normal 12 footers really need to be
grown in groups and take up so much space it gets ridiculous.


Yes but the garden this is destined for has huge deep borders about 20
foot to back and full of self sown hazel and ash etc. which is slowly
being cleared. A 12 footer is what is needed to make some sort of
backdrop against the conifer/yew hedges

Has your friend allowed for the fact that a single pampas 12-footer
will not produce many heads for several years. Even though the heads
may stay on through the winter, they will probably look a bit manky by
Christmas; plus stems are very susceptible to breaking in anything
more than a slight breeze. She really needs at least 3 plants, in a
group, not a straight line, if that's the way she wants to go.

Might stipa gigantea be a suitable alternative? This can manage about
9 feet. Or miscanthus goliath that can get to 9-10 feet? The greater
mass of seed heads (which can survive through the winter and into mid
spring) blowing in the wind may well produce a better effect, even if
a bit lower.

Cheers, Jake
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