|
Quality Flowering Bulbs, Perennials & Plants Since 1953 |
- Shop by Category
- Spring Flowering Favourites
- Colourful Trees and Shrubs
- Summer Flowering Favourites
- Best Selling Mixtures
- Assorted Perennials
- Garden and Home Care
- Rare and Unusual Bulbs
- Great Gift Ideas
- Agapanthus
- Alliums
- Alstroemeria
- Anemones
- Bearded Iris
- Boronia
- Calla Lilies
- Canna Lilies
- Clivia
- Daffodils and Jonquils
- Dahlias
- Delphinium
- Dutch Iris
- Foxglove
- Foxtail Lily
- Freesias
- Fritillaria
- Fruit and Vegetables
- Gerbera
- Gladiolus
- Helleborus
- Hippeastrum
- Hyacinths
- Hosta
- Lilium
- Magnolia
- Muscari
- New Zealand Flax
- Orchids
- Peony Roses
- Protea and Leucadendron
- Ranunculus
- Roses
- Tree Peonies
- Tuberous Begonia
- Tulips
- Viburnum
- Water Lilies
- Home
- Growing Guides
- Pennisetum alopecuroides
Plant Profile: Pennisetum alopecuroides - Fountain Grass
|
Pennisetum alopecuroides - Fountain Grass |
Family: Poaceae Common Name(s): Swamp Foxtail or Fountain Grass Native to: Eastern Australia Flowering: January to June Watering: Keep the soil moist but do not over water Planting Aspect: Full sun to part shade Preferred Climate:
Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical, GrasslandDescriptionA perennial tuft forming, rhizomatous grass found in sub-tropical and warm temperate regions in parts of the eastern coast of Australia. It produces gracefully arching mid to dark green leaves that grow up to 80 cm long from a clump forming plant that does not spread by underground shoots. Feathery, yellow-green to dark purple bristle like spikelets on 60 – 100cm erect stems appear in summer to autumn. The slender arching leaves create a linear texture and scale that contrasts other growth forms and adds character to every garden or landscape. Fountain Grass changes its appearance and colour throughout the growing season turning yellow in autumn after flowering.CultivationThis ornamental grass is quite frost hardy to about minus 7 degrees C. and prefers full sun and fertile, moderate to well drained soil. The application of a standard slow release fertilizer, low in phosphorus at planting time will assist the plant to grow vigorously. No further fertilizer is required once the plant is established, as it may suppress the flower/blossom production. Maintain the plant by cutting back the old foliage by about two thirds of its length in early spring. It is not advisable to plant the grass near bushland and to cut off the flower heads before they shed their seeds. It has the potential to be invasive in some areas. |
Keywords: pennisetum alopecuroides, fountain grass, poaceae, grass, plant, fountain, pennisetum, alopecuroides, nursery