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Pennisetum alopecuroides (Fountain Grass)

Fountain Grass, Foxtail Grass, Chinese Fountain Grass

Pennisetum Alopecuroides, Fountain Grass information, Foxtail Grass information, Fountain Grass design ideas, Foxtail Grass design ideas
Pennisetum Alopecuroides, Fountain Grass information, Foxtail Grass information, Fountain Grass design ideas, Foxtail Grass design ideas

Native to Asia and Australia, Pennisetum alopecuroides (Fountain Grass) is among the most beautiful and graceful ornamental grasses with cascading foliage that rustles in the wind. It requires very little care and almost nonstop drama in the garden.

  • This cold-hardy grass typically grows in 2-3 foot tall (60-90 cm) rounded mounds of dark green foliage turning golden yellow or beige in fall. However, there are dwarf varieties available that reach only 12 in. (30 cm) and tall ones that can reach 5 ft. in height (150 cm).
  • The flowering season begins as early as early summer or as late as early fall when the foliage is topped with soft and fluffy, reddish purple to coppery tan bottlebrush-like flowers, resembling large foxtails, on arching stems. They make excellent cut flowers for fresh and dried arrangements.
  • Welcomed in any garden style, it is versatile and can be used as a specimen plant, in groups, or en masse. It is ideal in beds and borders where it provides texture, color, and contrast, great in naturalistic meadows, and absolutely lovely beside ponds or streams where its graceful form is reflected in the water. Great for containers, too!
  • Performs best in full sun. Tolerates part shade, but best flower production occurs in full sun. Although it prefers fairly dry soils and is drought tolerant once established, it also grows in moist, but well-drained soils.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant!
  • Cut back old foliage to the ground in late winter.
  • Propagate by seed sown in containers in a warm glasshouse in spring or by division in spring.
  • Most popular cultivars are:
    Burgundy Bunny‘, a miniature cultivar rising up to 16 in. tall (40 cm)
    Hameln‘, a superb, compact cultivar rising up to 30 in. tall (75 cm)
    Little Bunny‘, a dwarf cultivar growing only 20 in. high (50 cm)
    Red Head‘ with big, smoky burgundy inflorescences. 4 ft. tall (120 cm)
  • Pennisetum alopecuroides species self-seeds in optimum growing. Cultivars are reported not to come true from seed.
  • Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
  • Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 6 - 9
Climate Zones 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Poaceae
Genus Pennisetum
Common names Foxtail Grass, Fountain Grass
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants Australia
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Modern Garden, Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Pennisetum glaucum ‘Purple Majesty’ (Ornamental Millet)
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’ (Fountain Grass)
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Head’ (Fountain Grass)
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Burgundy Bunny’ (Fountain Grass)
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Bunny’ (Fountain Grass)
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Desert Plains’ (Fountain Grass)

Recommended Companion Plants

Aconitum napellus (Monkshood)
Eupatorium maculatum (Spotted Joe-Pye Weed)
Sedum ‘Herbstfreude’ (‘Autumn Joy’)
Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle)
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ (Chinese Silver Grass)
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)
Persicaria amplexicaulis (Mountain Fleece)
Rudbeckia fulgida (Black-Eyed Susan)

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A Desirable Summer Border Idea with Verbena, Amaranth and Pennisetum
A Majestic Walkway
Eye-Catching Retaining Walls
Native Plant Alternatives to Pennisetum setaceum (Fountain Grass)
Native Plant Alternatives to Pennisetum alopecuroides (Fountain Grass)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 6 - 9
Climate Zones 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Poaceae
Genus Pennisetum
Common names Foxtail Grass, Fountain Grass
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants Australia
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Modern Garden, Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Pennisetum (Fountain Grass)
Not sure which Pennisetum (Fountain Grass) to pick?
Compare Now

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