Popular, drought tolerant grass forms neat clumps of purplish maroon blades. Topped by rose red flower spikes summer through fall. Beautiful as landscape specimen or planted in groups. Provides quick annual color in any climate. Perennial in warm climates.
Plant Profile | |
Botanical Name | Pennisetum alopecuroides |
Features | Popular, drought tolerant grass forms neat clumps of purplish maroon blades. Topped by rose red flower spikes summer through fall. Beautiful as landscape specimen or planted in groups. Provides quick annual color in any climate. Perennial in warm climates. |
Exposure | Full sun |
Hardiness Zone | Zones 6-9 |
Mature Size | 2-4' Tall, 2-5' Wide |
Genus Description | Pennisetum is a genus of approximately 120 species of rhizomatous or stoloniferous, clump- forming, annual and perennial grasses found in woodland and savanna in tropical, subtropical, and warm- temperate zones worldwide. They have linear leaves, and are grown for their feathery, spike-like panicles of clustered, oblong to lance-shaped spikelets, borne in summer and autumn, which are useful for both fresh and dried arrangeÂments. Grow in a mixed, herbaceous, or annual border. Some self-seed readily and may become invasive in warmer areas. Pennisetum alopecuroides (fountain grass) is a clump-forming, densely tufted, evergreen perennial grass with flat, linear, pointed, mid- to dark green leaves, 12-24in long. In summer and autumn, bears bristly, yellow-green to dark purple spikelets in cylindrical to narrowly oblong panicles, to 8in long. |
Care Tips | |
Cultivation | Grow in preferably light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Cut back dead top- growth by early spring. Where not hardy, protect with a dry winter mulch. |
Pests and Diseases | Rust, eye spot, and other leaf spots can occur. |
Purple Fountain Grass
- Brands Sammy's Plant World
- Product Code:
- Availability: In Stock
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$6.00
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Tags: compressum, fountain grass, pennisetum alopecuroides, purple