Pennisetum alopecuroides Desert Plains (Fountain Grass)

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Desert Plains' (Fountain Grass) is a large perennial grass forming a dense upright vase-shaped clump of gracefully arching linear leaves. Bright green in summer, they turn red as the season progresses, before changing to warm shades of orange and gold in the fall. The showy foliage usually remains attractive until frost. In mid to late summer, large smoky purple bottlebrush flowers, 5 in. long (12 cm), resembling large foxtails are produced above the leaves. Arching outward from the foliage clump, they age to tan and are particularly dramatic when backlit. They make excellent cut flowers for fresh and dried arrangements. Requiring very little care and providing almost nonstop drama in the garden, this compact warm season grass is excellent for groundcover massing but also can be used as an accent plant in gardens and in containers.

• Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall and wide (90-120 cm).
• Performs best in full sun. Tolerates part shade, but best flower production occurs in full sun. Although it prefers fairly dry soils and is drought tolerant once established, it also grows in moist, but well-drained soils.
• Welcomed in any garden style, it is versatile and can be used as a specimen plant, in groups or en masse. It is ideal in beds and borders where it provides texture, color and contrast, great in naturalistic prairies and meadows and absolutely lovely beside ponds or streams where its graceful form is reflected in the water.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant!
• Cut back old foliage to the ground in late winter.
• Propagate by division in spring.
• Pennisetum alopecuroides species is native to Asia and Australia. It self-seeds in optimum growing and cultivars are reported not to come true from seed.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.