Pennisetum Hamelyn Gold

Description

Pennisetum ‘Hameln Gold’ – dwarf fountain grass

Botanical name: Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln Gold’
Common names: Golden dwarf 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. 0.6–0.75m tall × 0.6m spread
Foliage: Arching foliage taking on warm golden tones, especially in autumn, forming a neat fountain-like mound; deciduous
Flowers: Soft, fluffy buff bottlebrush plumes, late summer into autumn (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 ‘Hameln Gold’ is a compact dwarf fountain grass with warm golden-toned foliage and soft buff bottlebrush plumes. Bright and neat, it is superb for smaller sunny borders and containers.

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. It combines the neat, reliable, early-flowering habit of ‘Hameln’ with warm golden foliage tones that glow in autumn. 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

‘Hameln Gold’ gives you the compact, reliable, early-flowering habit that makes ‘Hameln’ so good for UK gardens, with the bonus of warm golden foliage that really glows in autumn light. Treat it like the other fountain grasses — a warm, sunny, sharply drained spot, and a spring rather than autumn cut-back.

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