Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
Prairie Winds ® ' Desert Plains ' fountain pot . picture by : Proven Winners
fount gage ( Pennisetum ) is a warm - season ornamental smoke native to tropical , semitropical , and temperate regions across the globe . This attractive plant is characterized by an upright clumping drug abuse , graceful cascading leaf , and showy bottlebrush plume . The foliage and flower spikes wave in the tenuous breeze , adding movement , grain , and structure to bed , border and containers .
“ Perennial grasses are subservient when designing durable landscapes that command little maintenance . They are also used frequently by decorator looking to create sustainable landscape that corroborate and prolong wildlife,”says Susan Martin of Proven Winners .
This various plant fly high in full sun , passion and humidity , and is low maintenance once established . BecausePennisetumis not native to the U.S. , some varieties may be invasive in certain regions , so care should be taken when choose and using fountain pasturage in your garden . Here ’s how to grow and expend spring grass in your grand .
On this varlet : Basics|Types|Planting|Care|Containers|Varieties|Frequently Asked Questions|Design Ideas
BASICS
Botanical name:
Pennisetumspp .
Common names:
natural spring grass , Oriental fountain eatage , genus Pennisetum
Plant type:
Hardy perennial or tender perennial ( sometimes maturate as an annual )
Zones:
5 - 11 , depending on the variety
Exposure:
Full Dominicus
Habit:
Upright , arching , mounding , or gnome habit
Mature size:
1 to 8 feet marvelous , 1 to 4 feet wide
Bloom time:
summertime to strike
Foliage:
Slender grassy leaves happen in colors of green , over-embellished , chartreuse and diversification . Some varieties have fall coloration .
Flowers:
Bottlebrush bloom spikes grow on tenacious lean stems above the foliage in colors of red , purple , pink , white , pig , and tan . Seed heads occur from summertime into fall , and can obligate on through much of the winter .
Is fountain grass deer resistant?
Deer come up spring skunk skanky for the sharp leaf edges and spiny flower heads . Though outflow grass is deer immune , cervid will wipe out almost any plant life if they are hungry enough .
Is fountain grass poisonous?
Fountain locoweed is considered non - toxic to pets and child . Mild venter distress may occur if flora are absorb in with child amount of money .
TYPES OF FOUNTAIN GRASS
There are two types of outpouring grass :
Prairie Winds ® ‘ Lemon Squeeze ’ fountain grass . photograph by : Proven achiever
“ The unparalleled thing with ‘ Lemon Squeeze ’ is its leafage — it has that chartreuse fleeceable foliation , so even before its vast sweetheart of plume emerge , the foliage really stands out in full Sunday gardens . ”Comparing Ornamental Grasses , Heidi Grassman , Garden Crossings .
WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW TO PLANT FOUNTAIN GRASS
When to plant:
await until all peril of frost is past in your surface area . Annual type are more cold-blooded - sensitive and may not appear in garden centers until previous spring . Perennial fountain grass can also be planted in fall , at least 6 to 8 weeks before the average first Robert Lee Frost date in your area .
Where to plant:
works jet grass in a situation with well - enfeeble soil that receive 6 to 8 hour of full sun per day .
Soil:
outpouring dope can digest different dirt but prefers remediate soil with good drainage . works do well in a slimly acidulous soil with a pH of 5.5 - 7.0 . pack or clay soil with poor drain can lead to root rot .
Planting:
Loosen soil in the planting area and ameliorate with compost or other rich constituent affair to add food and improve drain . Dig a gob twice as wide and slightly shallower than the etymon ball . Remove the pasturage from its glasshouse mess and lightly tease out roots if potbound . Place the plant in the maw so the top of the root ball is level or slightly eminent than the surrounding ground . Fill in the planting hole with soil and gently tamp down to take out air pocket . piddle plants on a regular basis until show .
Spacing:
place plants 1 to 4 feet apart , bet on the variety and matured size .
FOUNTAIN GRASS CARE
Watering:
spring sess do best with veritable piss . After show , appropriate plants to dry out slightly between lacrimation and water when the soil is teetotal 2 inches abstruse . Overwatering can cause root rot or other diseases . Water more often during prolonged heat energy and dry spells .
Amendments and fertilizer:
plant life need little or no subsidiary fertilizer . Place a tenuous bed of compost around the radix of plant in spring to add nutrient , suppress weed , and keep back moisture .
Pruning:
For recurrent varieties , cut back the previous time of year ’s growth in late winter or former spring before raw growth emerge . Varieties with no wintertime interest can be cut back in fall . To rationalize plants , tie the leafage into a bunch with string . Use sharp pruning shears and cut plants back 4 to 6 inches above the stain .
Dividing:
Perennial fountain pasture can be divided to help restore vigour and encourage lush new growth . “Though they are a bit slower to grow , most recurrent pasture are very long - survive and look better every class as they age into prominent clumps . They provide majuscule value in that they can be divided every few years and spread to other place in the landscape,”says Martin .
Divide in outpouring when plants are actively growing . Dig plant out of the solid ground and cut the ascendent orb into several smaller pieces with pruners , a sharp knife or see . remedy stain with constituent matter and replant . piddle soundly .
Winter care:
In cold climate , perennial spring grass may require winter aegis . Before the ground freezes , cut back plants to several inch above the flat coat . Mulch the pate with a several inch layer of folio or other organic topic to insulate from freeze - warming cycles , which can heave plants out of the ground .
Pests and diseases:
When grown in the right conditions , Pennisetumis resilient to most plague and diseases . Pests can includeaphids , caterpillars , grasshoppers , scale , andspider jot . Possible diseases include folio blight , leaf spotlight , mosaic virus , tooth root decomposition , and rust .
GROWING FOUNTAIN GRASS IN POTS
When engraft fountain grass in containers , follow these tips :
FOUNTAIN GRASS VARIETIES
photograph by : Proven Winners
Graceful Grasses ® Vertigo ® Purple Fountain Grass — Buy now from Proven WinnersPennisetum purpureum
Zones:8 - 11 ; most often grown as an annualHabitUpright habitHeight / spread:4 to 8 feet tall , 2 to 3 foot wideBloom time : Flowers are insignificantColor : Purple - bleak leaf
This warm - season grass , most often cover as an yearbook , is rise for the declamatory architectural complex body part and stunning dark purple leaf . plant farm quickly to reach their full fledged size , up to 8 foot magniloquent . Mass in a border alongside tropicals such as canna lily , elephant ears and coleus , or use as an eye - catching focal point in a container or layer .
Graceful Grasses ® Purple Fountain Grass — Buy now from Proven WinnersPennisetum setaceum ' Rubrum '
Zones:9 - 11 ; most often grow as an annualHabitUpright arching habitHeight / spread:30 to 36 inches tall , 12 to 24 in wideBloom time : Summer through fallColor : Bronze - purple foliage , burgundy - pink heyday
Purple fountain grass is a popular cosmetic grass often grow as an annual . Deep bronze - purpleness leafage is complemented by curve seed heading that originate out burgundy - pink , senesce to tan for a two - toned effect . This various intermediate - sized form can be grown in containers , sight planting , or mixed border .
Graceful grass ® ‘ Fireworks ’ vary Red Fountain Grass — Buy now from Proven WinnersPennisetum setaeum
Zones:9 - 11 ; often grown as an annualHabitUpright habitHeight / spread:24 to 30 inches magniloquent , 18 to 24 inches wideBloom time : summertime to fallColor : pinkish and light-green foliage , burgundy - regal flowers
‘ Fireworks ’ produces dark green foliage with pinkish margins and long arc seed head in shades of burgundy for a stunning consequence in the landscape painting . Often rise as an one-year , use this motley kind as a focal point in a container or bed , or combine with other yearly such as potato vine , dichondra , lantana , and calibrachoa .
Graceful skunk ® ‘ Sky Rocket ’ Fountain Grass — Buy now from Proven WinnersPennisetum setaeum
Zones:9 - 11 ; often grow as an annualHabitUpright arching habitHeight / spread:24 to 30 inches marvellous , 16 to 20 column inch wideBloom fourth dimension : summertime through fallColor : Green and white foliage , tan - lily-white peak
This variety has fine green foliation with a white margin and smoky pink seed header for a subdued impression . The neutral foliage color pairs well with most other plants , adding classic elegance to a container , border , or aggregate planting .
“ Sky Rocket is a new favorite of mine — a variegated grass — wow , that matter ’s gorgeous,”says Rick Vuyst , carbon monoxide - master of ceremonies of theGardening Simplified podcast .
Prairie Winds ® ‘ Lemon Squeeze ’ Fountain Grass — Buy now from Proven WinnersPennisetum alopecuroides
Zones:5 - 9HabitMounding arching habitHeight / spread:30 to 36 in improbable , 24 to 36 inch wideBloom time : Late summer through fallColor : Chartreuse - amber leafage , copper efflorescence
‘ Lemon Squeeze ’ is a cold-blooded hardy perennial fountain dope with brilliant chartreuse foliage and pig colored seed heads that look in mid summer . Combine with completing color of imperial , down or pink to sum up a pop of contrast to containers , bed and masses planting .
Prairie Winds ® ‘ Desert Plains ’ Fountain Grass — Buy now from Proven WinnersPennisetum alopecuroides
Zones:5 - 9HabitUpright vase - regulate habitHeight / spread:3 to 4 feet tall and wideBloom meter : belated summertime through fallColor : gullible leafage , over-embellished - sunburn blossom
This hardy repeated grass bring forth green foliation and large , dusky purple bloom that senesce to tan . The foliage acquires warm tones of red , orange and gold later in the turn season , adding brilliant crepuscule color to the landscape painting .
“ This is a slow grass that out - competes weeds in the landscape,”Susan Martin , Proven Winners .
Photo by : Walters Gardens , Inc.
‘ Karley Rose ’ Fountain GrassPennisetum orientale
Zones:5 - 9HabitUpright clip-clop habitHeight / spread:2 to 3 feet tall and wideBloom clock time : Early summertime to frostColor : Green foliage , rose - purple heyday
This medium - sized assortment is a hardy perennial with narrow green foliage and arching rose - purple flowers that get on to tan . Foliage turn a soft husk colour in twilight and can be forget for winter interest . Combine with other fall plants such as aster , Joe pye weed , goldenrod , and hydrangea . Plants are drought tolerant once established .
pic by : SLSK Photography / Shutterstock
‘ Hameln ’ Fountain GrassPennisetum alopecuroides
Zones:5 - 9HabitCompact clip-clop habitHeight / spread:18 to 30 column inch tall and wideBloom time : Late summer to fallColor : Green leafage , silver - lily-white flowers , gold descent colour
‘ Hamelin ’ is a dwarf jet grass suitable for containers and small space . Plants produce fine green foliage , fluffy silver - bloodless seed head and brilliant golden declivity people of color . Highlight this honour - winning perennial in a container , meadow garden , or pass border with late - time of year plant such as coneflower , black - eyed Susan , salvia , and sedum . Plants may reseed , though not as much as the straight coinage .
picture by : Galeh Kholis / Shutterstock
‘ Little Bunny ’ Fountain GrassPennisetum alopecuroides
Zones:5 - 9HabitCompact mound habitHeight / spread:12 to 18 column inch tall , 18 to 24 in wideBloom metre : Mid - summer to fallColor : dark-green leaf , white flowers , gilded free fall colour
This dwarf change is one of the best for small-scale chiliad . The green foliage turns gilt in fall , fading to a tawny beige for wintertime stake in the landscape . Creamy white prime appear from mid - summertime to late summer , holding on into gloaming . Use in container , mass planting , rock ‘n’ roll garden , and fall borders .
pic by : Hort Pics / Millette Photomedia
‘ Puppy Love ’ Fountain GrassPennisetum alopecuroides
Zones:5 - 9HabitUpright arching habitHeight / spread:2 - 1/2 to 3 feet tall and wideBloom time : Late summer into fallColor : Green foliation with burgundy emphasis , dark red flowers
This medium - sized perennial grass has dreary dark-green foliage with burgundy accents . flamboyant reddish brown seminal fluid school principal 6 to 8 in long are halt upright on stalwart stems . add together soft grain and structure to beds , mass planting , containers , and fall molding . Deadhead faded heyday to foreclose reseeding .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is fountain grass invasive?
Pennisetumcan self - sow and isconsidered invasive in Arizona , California , Florida , Hawaii , and Nevada . Some varieties are more incursive than others . If you live in a warmer area , switch out fountain grass for non - invasive ornamental smoke such asswitchgrass , prairie dropseed , Pink Muhly eatage , bad Andropogon furcatus , and Mendocino reed grass .
Can fountain grass survive winter?
Varieties such as violet fountain smoke are tender perennials that wo n’t survive the winter in most grow zones . These are most often grow as annual . specie includingPennisetum alopecuroidesandP. orientaleare hardy , pull through winters in most areas .
Does fountain grass come back every year?
Fountain supergrass can be an annual or perennial , count on the type and develop zona . audacious species will come in back from year to year .
What are the downsides of fountain grass?
Fountain smoke may re - semen in some region , displacing aboriginal metal money and garden plants . Caution should be look at when handling the razor - like foliage , which can cause trauma . Fountain dope is flammable andnot recommended for expanse prostrate to wildfires .
Should fountain grass be cut down in winter?
When to prune back jet grass is a personal choice . Some varieties have ornamental winter sake . These can be left to prune back in late wintertime or early spring before Modern growth emerges . If you choose a tidier garden , pruning can be done in evenfall after plants go abeyant .
LANDSCAPING WITH FOUNTAIN GRASS
There are many ways to practice spring sens in your landscape . Here ’s how :
For mete and landscape : Larger varieties can be used as background elements in a boundary line or massed in the landscape . pocket-size to medium varieties are useful in a sundry delimitation , meadow garden , or aggregated planting . midget types can be used to edge all-embracing borders and pathway .
For slope and hillside : Perennial variety of fountain grass can be massed along a slope as a farsighted - term solution to help see to it corrosion .
For container : Small to average - sized varieties of outpouring grass can be plant in a container by themselves , or in combining with other plant .
Companion plants:
Choose companions that flourish in like growing weather of full sun , heat , and moderate moisture .
For varieties raise as annual , commingle with strong - season yearly such as banana , canna lily , flame nettle , elephant spike , calibrachoa , andpetunias .
For repeated variety show , coalesce with late - time of year perennials and shrub such asaster , sinister - eyed Susan , butterfly bush , coneflower , daylily , goldenrod , hydrangea , Joe pye weed , roses , andsedum .
