Family: Fountain Grass
Type: Ornamental grass
Other Common Name: Chinese Pennisetum, Foxtail Fountain Grass
Fountain Grass is a popular ornamental grass known for its graceful, flowing foliage and attractive flower plumes. Its ease of care and adaptability make it a favorite in many gardens.
This perennial grass is valued for its versatility in landscape design. It can be used as a standalone feature or in mass plantings for a dramatic effect.
Fountain Grass thrives in full sun and is drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens. It adds movement and texture to any landscape.
Hardiness Zone: 4b-6a
Deer Resistant: Yes
Pet Friendly: Yes
Moisture Preference: Dry to moist
Sun Needs: Full sun
Drought Tolerance (Xeriscape): Yes
Growth Rate: Medium
Average Height (feet): 5
Average Spread (feet): 2
Average Life Span (years): 10
Form: Arching
Flower Color: Red
Secondary Flower Color: Brown
Bloom Season: In late summer
Foliage Color: Green
Leaf Fall Color: Orange
Foliage Shape: Grassy
Bark Texture: Orange
Incorporating Fountain Grass into your landscape brings a sense of elegance and movement. Its arching leaves and feathery plumes sway gently in the breeze.
It’s perfect for creating a soft, natural border along walkways or garden beds. Fountain Grass also works well as a backdrop for flowering plants, adding contrast with its tall, slender form.
Planting this grass in clusters or as a solitary feature can create a focal point in your garden. Its versatility makes it suitable for various landscape styles.
In a contemporary garden, Fountain Grass adds texture and movement. Its sleek form complements modern garden designs, providing a natural contrast to hard landscaping elements.
Fountain Grass fits beautifully in cottage gardens. Its informal growth pattern and feathery plumes blend well with the abundance of flowering plants typical in this style.
This grass is ideal for Mediterranean gardens, thriving in sunny conditions. Its drought tolerance aligns with the water-efficient ethos of Mediterranean-style landscaping.
Use Fountain Grass as a natural privacy screen. Its height and density can create a soft, green barrier in your garden.
Pair it with other drought-tolerant plants for a water-wise garden. Its texture complements succulents and other low-water plants.
In container gardens, Fountain Grass adds height and drama. It’s ideal for balcony gardens or as an accent on patios and decks.
In spring, Fountain Grass begins to grow, with fresh green leaves emerging. This is the time when new growth starts, setting the stage for the lush appearance to come.
During summer, Fountain Grass reaches its full glory. Flower plumes appear, adding a soft, feathery texture to the garden. The grass is most vigorous and visually striking in this season.
In fall, the foliage of Fountain Grass may turn golden-brown, providing a beautiful autumnal hue. Its plumes may persist, adding interest and movement to the fall garden.
In winter, Fountain Grass can provide structural interest, even as it goes dormant. In milder climates, it may retain some of its foliage, while in colder regions, it might die back to the ground.
Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam'
Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Little Spire'
Salvia 'May Night'
Fountain Grass should be planted in areas that receive full sunlight. It thrives in open spaces like garden beds, borders, and open lawns where it can receive unobstructed light.
This grass prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. However, for the best growth and plume production, aim to provide it with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Fountain Grass is not picky about soil but prefers well-drained types. It can tolerate a range of soil conditions, from clay to sandy soils, as long as there is good drainage.
When planting, give each Fountain Grass plant about 24-36 inches of space. This spacing allows for adequate air circulation and room for the grass to spread to its full size.
The ideal time to plant Fountain Grass is in the spring, once the threat of frost has passed. This timing gives the plant a full growing season to establish itself.
Dig a hole as deep and twice as wide as the root ball. Place the grass in the hole, fill with soil, and water it thoroughly to settle the roots and eliminate air pockets.
Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Once established, Fountain Grass is drought-tolerant and requires less frequent watering.
Fertilize sparingly, as over-fertilization can lead to weak growth. A light application of a balanced fertilizer in spring is typically sufficient.
Cut back the grass in late winter or early spring before new growth starts to remove old foliage and encourage fresh growth.
Remove any dead foliage and apply a light fertilizer to encourage new growth. Ensure adequate watering as the plant breaks dormancy.
During the summer, water the grass if there are prolonged dry spells. Otherwise, Fountain Grass requires minimal care in this season.
Reduce watering as the plant begins to go dormant. No additional fertilizing is needed during this season.
In winter, Fountain Grass can be left unpruned to provide winter interest, or it can be cut back to tidy the garden and prepare for spring growth.
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'
Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus'
Fountain Grass grows quickly and can reach its full size in one growing season, making it a great choice for adding rapid greenery to a space.
Some varieties of Fountain Grass can be invasive. It’s important to choose non-invasive cultivars or manage self-seeding through regular maintenance.
Yes, Fountain Grass can be grown in containers, where it adds height and texture. Choose a large enough container to accommodate its root system and ensure good drainage.
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