Pennisetum alopecuroides

Description

Pennisetum alopecuroides – fountain grass

Botanical name: Pennisetum alopecuroides
Common names: Fountain grass, Chinese fountain grass
Family: Poaceae (grass family)
Plant type: Deciduous perennial grass
Habit: Clump-forming, arching, fountain-like
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 0.9–1.2m tall × 0.9m spread
Foliage: Arching green foliage forming a fountain-like mound, turning gold and buff in autumn; deciduous
Flowers: Soft, fluffy, bottlebrush flower plumes in greenish to purple-brown tones, late summer into autumn, fading to buff (August–October)
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Fertile, moist but well-drained; sharp drainage in winter; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H4 (hardy, to about −10°C); may be short-lived in cold, wet gardens; USDA zones 6–9
Exposure: Warm, sheltered, sunny
Native range: Species native to eastern Asia and Australia
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Pennisetum alopecuroides, fountain grass, forms arching mounds of foliage topped in late summer by soft, fluffy bottlebrush plumes. A beautiful, tactile grass for warm, sunny, well-drained borders.

GardenAdvice notes

A clump-forming deciduous grass, fountain grass is grown for its arching, fountain-like foliage and its beautiful soft, fluffy ‘bottlebrush’ or ‘foxtail’ flower plumes in late summer and autumn. Its soft, cylindrical foxtail plumes are irresistibly tactile and catch the light and dew beautifully. It loves a warm, sunny, sheltered spot and, being a little tender, appreciates sharp drainage, especially over winter.

Growing & planting

Plant in late spring in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun, in a warm, sheltered spot — plenty of sun and summer warmth are needed for good flowering. Sharp drainage matters, as cold, wet winters are its main enemy; in colder gardens it can be short-lived. Space about 45–60cm apart.

Care & maintenance

Leave the foliage and plumes standing through winter for their beauty and structure, then cut the plant back to the ground in early to mid spring — a little later than fully hardy grasses, to give the crown winter protection. Water while establishing. Divide in late spring, not autumn, so it goes into winter undivided.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in late spring, as growth begins (avoid autumn division, which can weaken it before winter).

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free in a warm, well-drained spot. Its main enemy is cold, wet winters, which can kill it, so shelter and sharp drainage are important. Otherwise little troubled by pests.

Uses in the garden

Superb in sunny, well-drained borders, gravel and prairie-style plantings, and in containers, where the soft, fluffy plumes bring wonderful texture and movement; the plumes are lovely for cutting.

Wildlife value

The flower plumes and seedheads provide food for birds and add habitat and structure to naturalistic plantings.

Toxicity & safety

Fountain grass is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

Fountain grass gives you those wonderful soft, strokeable foxtail plumes, at their best catching low autumn light or sparkling with dew — so plant it where the sun can backlight it. It needs a warm, sunny, sharply drained spot to thrive and flower, and in a cold, wet garden it can be short-lived, so give it your best drainage and don’t cut it back until spring.

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