Scientific Name:
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Pronunciation:
pen-ih-SEE-tum uh-loe-PEK-roe-EYE-deez
Common Name:
fountain grass
Family Name:
Poaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial, Poales (grass-like)
Key ID Features:
Leaves upright, jointed with other leaves at nodes; inflorescence bottle brush of fluffy spikelets; fruit green grain with long purple hair.
Habit:
Arching, Open, Upright
Form:
Round, Vase
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Australia / New Zealand, S.E. Asia / Japan / China
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 7: (-18 to -12 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich, Well-drained
Water Use:
Low
Landscape Uses:
Accent plant, Container planting, Cut flower or foliage, Dried flower or fruit, Fall interest, Group or mass planting, Mixed shrub border, Perennial border, Rock garden, Small garden/space, Spring interest, Waterside planting
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown or on campus may include P. 'Hameln', P. ‘Little Bunny’ (only up to 40cm tall), and P. 'Moudry' (purple-black flowered).
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Grass-like
Arrangement:
Alternate, Basal
Texture/Venation:
Leathery, Parallel venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous, Lustrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, Dark-green
Colour in Fall:
Yellow
Shapes:
Filiform, Linear
Apices:
Acuminate
Bases:
Sheathing
Margins:
Entire, Serrate
Additional Info:
Spectacular fall colour
Inflorescence Type:
Spikelet, Panicle-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Green-yellow, Purple, Dark-red, Brown, Black
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jul, Aug
Fruit Type:
Grain (caryopsis)
Fruit Colour:
Brown, Silver
Fruiting Time:
Aug, Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Showy
Bark or Stem Colour:
Organ Modifications:
Rhizomes
Propagation:
Seed, Division - above ground parts
Maintenance:
Low
Other:
May self seed if not cut back in time
Pest Susceptibility:
Fungal leaf spot, Rust (Pest resistant, Deer resistant)
Course(s):
- CLT Training
- HORT 2355
- Level 4 Apprenticeship
Location(s):
- (BCW) Boulevard (Circular) Westend : cv. Hameln - auditorium planting - q.6
- (GAZN) GAZebo North : cv. Hameln
- (GRB) GRass Bed
- (GRBW) GRass Bed West : cv. Moudry
- (PDW) PonD West : cv. Little Bunny
- (WDH) Wark-Dumais House