Pennisetum
- Blends well with almost any annual or perennial flowers.
- Fountain grass can grow 2 to 3 feet tall.
- Wonderful accent for the landscape.
- Stately addition to combo containers
Nothing says low maintenance like fountain grasses. They add texture, movement, and all-season color to the garden. Many of the fountain grasses available are native to North America and provide habitat, food sources, and protection for pollinators and other wildlife. They are versatile enough to tolerate several types of soil conditions and garden locations, which is why they are so great for troublesome areas with rocky soils, slopes, poor drainage, or too much sun or shade. Once established, they are some of the best drought-tolerant plants around.
Plant fountain grass in a location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sun a day. Fountain grass is not fussy about soil type, but if you are growing in in containers use a commercial potting soil mix. Water whenever the soil feels dry to the touch. If you are growing fountain grass as a perennial, feed it with some slow-release granular fertilizer in the early spring. In the North, toss the tender varieties in the compost pile after the first freeze blackens the foliage.
VARIETIES WE CARRY:
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Moudry’
Black Flowering Fountain Grass – This selection forms an upright clump of arching green leaves, bearing bottlebrush spikes of dark purple-black flowers that turn silvery as they dry. Most effective when mass planted, but also useful as a specimen accent in the garden or in containers. Flowers are excellent for cutting, fresh or dried. Plants usually remain attractive well into the winter, the leaves turning bright golden-yellow in the fall. Remove flower heads in late fall to prevent self seeding, especially in Zones 7 to 9. Drought tolerant once established.
Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’
Purple Fountain Grass – Bronze-purple foliage topped with graceful arches of burgundy-toned seed heads. A popular, drought tolerant grass that forms tidy clumps of purplish maroon blades topped with rose-red flower spikes. Beautiful as landscape specimen or planted in groups. Unlike the species, this cultivar does not reseed. An herbaceous perennial grass in mild winter regions; provides quick annual color in any climate.
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