Calamagrostis canadensis

Common Names

Bluejoint, Bluejoint Grass, Bluejoint Reedgrass, Canada Bluejoint, Canadian Reedgrass, Canada Reedgrass, Meadow Pinegrass, Marsh Reedgrass, Marsh Pinegrass, Macoun's Reedgrass

Summary

Bluejoint reedgrass is a circumboreal, long‑lived rhizomatous cool‑season perennial native to northern North America. It forms dense clumps reaching roughly 60–150 cm in height, with blue‑green, rough leaves and an open panicle bearing purplish spikelets, creating an airy silhouette and wind‑dispersed seeds from callus hairs.

Thrives in full sun to partial shade with moist to wet soils and tolerates saturated soils and seasonal flooding, hardy in zones 2–6, and drought tolerant once established. Propagation is by division (most common) or by seed. It offers erosion control, wildlife habitat, and restoration planting benefits, including streambank stabilization; maintenance includes cutting back in early spring and avoiding overgrazing to prevent dense litter; well suited for wetlands restoration, shoreline stabilization, and naturalistic plantings.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-5 ft

Spread

8 inches-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 2-7

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist to wet soils, including loamy, clay, peat, and silt soils.

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained to seasonally wet soils

Soil pH

5.0-7.5

Bloom Color

Purplish

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green, Blue-green, Bluish-green, Gray-green, Blue-gray, Glaucous

Fall Foliage Color

Blue-gray, Green, Tan, Warm tawny gold

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Rapid growth, about 5–15 cm per year.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Rhizomes (vegetative propagation)

Attracts Wildlife

Birds: Yes — provides food for waterfowl and habitat/forage for various birds.