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Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Bunny’ (Fountain Grass)

Fountain Grass 'Little Bunny', Foxtail Grass 'Little Bunny', Chinese Fountain Grass 'Little Bunny'

Pennisetum Alopecuroides 'Little Bunny', Fountain Grass 'Little Bunny', Foxtail Grass 'Little Bunny', Chinese Fountain Grass 'Hameln', Fountain Grass design ideas, Foxtail Grass design ideas

Perfect for small gardens, Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Bunny’ (Fountain Grass) is a miniature perennial grass forming a dense clump of gracefully arching linear leaves. Dark green in summer, they turn gold in the fall before fading to buff. The showy foliage usually remains attractive until frost. In mid to late summer, showy creamy-white flower spikes resembling small foxtails are produced above the leaves. They arch outward from the foliage clump and are particularly dramatic when backlit. They make excellent cut flowers for fresh and dried arrangements. Requiring very little care and providing almost nonstop drama in the garden, this petite warm season grass is excellent for rock gardens, containers, or the front of the border.

  • Grows up to 16-20 in. tall (40-50 cm) and 20-24 in. wide (50-60 cm).
  • 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.
  • 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, and absolutely lovely beside ponds or streams where its graceful form is reflected in the water. Great for containers too.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant!
  • Cut back old foliage to the ground in late winter.
  • Propagate by division in spring.
  • Pennisetum alopecuroides species is native to Asia and Australia. It self-seeds in optimum growing and 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 5 - 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 Fountain Grass, Foxtail Grass
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
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
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Modern Garden, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock 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 ‘Desert Plains’ (Fountain Grass)
Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’ (Purple Fountain Grass)

Recommended Companion Plants

Amsonia hubrichtii (Narrowleaf Bluestar)
Coreopsis ‘Red Satin’ (Tickseed)
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ (Black-Eyed Susan)
Echinacea (Coneflower)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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 5 - 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 Fountain Grass, Foxtail Grass
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
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
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams, Small Gardens
Garden Styles Modern Garden, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock 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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