Pennisetum alopecuroides
Fountain Grass
The many faces of Pennisetum alopecuroides. Pictures and descriptions of the different varieties of fountain grass. How to use these ornamental grasses to their best advantage in the landscape.
The fat, fluffy flower plumes of Pennisetum alopecuroides add a touch of whimsy to the summer garden. The pinkish plumes sway gracefully atop a 3-4 foot high mound of bright green foliage. The leaves turn a golden-tan in the fall and can be left in place until spring to add interest to the barren winter landscape. You can remove the flower heads if you want to keep the plants from self seeding which they are strongly inclined to do. When planted in the ground, fountain grass forms clumps which will grow larger each season. Eventually, the center will die out. When this happens, it's time to dig the clump up and divide it, discarding the center. This can be done in the spring or early fall.
Plants can be used singly, but they give the best show when planted in groups of three--either spaced apart in a row or in a tight triangle to look like one fat, sassy plant. A large drift backing shorter summer annuals is especially appealing. P. alopecuroides will tolerate dry, sandy soil but will give a better performance in rich, moist soil. A full sun exposure will give the biggest flower show. There is a dwarf fountain grass called Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' which grows to half the size of P. alopecuroides which is perfect for enhancing smaller garden spaces. 'Little Bunny' dwarf fountain grass tops out at 1 foot tall making it the perfect addition to small container gardens. The blooms of this cultivar are white.  
Burgundy Bunny Fountain Grass PP# 21917 'Burgundy Bunny' fountain grass is a dwarf selection that starts out green in the spring, turns wine red by summer and enrobes itself in bright red as winter approaches.  
Buy Rose Fountain Grass Here Rose fountain grass features showier blooms than most of the other selections on this page. This plant also exhibits a less upright growth habit. Its arching foliage forms mounds 2 feet tall.  
Lowest Price Ever on Silver Fountain Grass Silver fountain grass differs from the original Pennisetum alopecuroides only in the silvery cast of its blooms. All these grasses are hardy in zones 5-9. Shear them 6 inches from the ground each spring before new growth begins to refresh the clumps. Once the grass is cut back and you can see the ground beneath it, scatter some granular fertilizer around the clumps of top dress the planting area with organic compost.
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Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum', Purple Fountain Grass
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