Pampas grass

Question

I live in zone 5b and love the look of pampas grass. I’m reading conflicting information with regard to using pampas grass in the region. Will this beautiful grass survive our winters?

Answer 1

The conflicting information arises for the use pampas grass for 2 different plants. The traditional one is Cortaderia selloana and it is not hardy in zone 5. Another plant is called "hardy pampass grass".It is Erianthus ravennae and is hardy to zone 5. It doesn't have plumes that are quite as spectacular as the southern pampas grass but the overall effect is similar. I hope this helps!