Purple Fountain Grass, Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’, Monrovia Plant.
Purple fountain grass, scientifically known as Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’, is a stunning ornamental grass variety that features vibrant purple foliage. This grass is commonly referred to as purple fountain grass due to its elegant, cascading growth habit and rich color. It is a popular choice for adding color and texture to gardens and landscapes. With proper care, this plant can thrive in various growing conditions and enhance the beauty of any outdoor space. Consider planting purple fountain grass to create a striking focal point in your garden or landscape design.
Purple Fountain Grass, Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’, Monrovia Plant.
How tall will purple fountain grass get?
Grow Purple Fountain Grass These plants need to be placed in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Since mature plants can reach about four feet tall (1 m.) and just as wide, they should be given plenty of room in the garden, spacing additional plants at least three to five feet (1-1.5 m.)
Will purple fountain grass survive the winter? Purple fountain grass is an annual even though many big box stores try to sell it as a perennial. It will die in the winter. If you would like a perennial grass, there are several other options to consider. The dead grass can be pretty in the winter and does not have to be removed in the fall.
Is there a purple fountain grass that is a perennial?
Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum, setaceum) is a perennial plant in Sunset Zones 8-24 (USDA zones 9 or higher) but in colder areas with heavy frost, it is usually grown as an annual.
What happens to purple fountain grass in winter?
Purple fountain grass is an annual even though many big box stores try to sell it as a perennial. It will die in the winter. If you would like a perennial grass, there are several other options to consider. The dead grass can be pretty in the winter and does not have to be removed in the fall.
Does purple fountain grass multiply?
Purple Fountain Grass does best when planted in full sun, nutrient-rich soil, and in an area where it has plenty of space to spread. Unlike the rest of its species, this plant does not reseed. In cooler regions, the plant is typically treated as an annual instead.
Does purple fountain grass turn brown in winter?
The deep green leaves of fountain grass turn orange-bronze in autumn, and fade to dull beige. The inflorescences do not last through the winter. Fountain grass blooms in fuzzy-looking, bottle-brush-like inflorescences. In late summer showy, white to pink, copper or purple flower spikes are produced above the leaves.
How long does purple fountain grass last?
Annual varieties of fountain grass are grown and enjoyed for a single season, then replanted new each spring. Their vigor and durability often makes one think they must be able to survive the winter, but in fact, they are quite cold sensitive and their roots won’t survive a freeze.
Will purple fountain grass survive a freeze?
It’s cold-weather hardy down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, so if your area remains about that temperature, then you can grow the grass as a perennial and cut it back in early spring each year. New growth will initiate as the temperatures begin to climb.
What temperature kills purple fountain grass?
Plant Care Cut back dead foliage to the ground in fall or spring. The plant is hardy to 20 degrees, so it may not survive very cold winters in North Texas and should be considered as an annual grass.
Does purple fountain grass attract bugs?
Purple fountain grass has a clumping habit and grows up to 5 feet tall, with colorful blossom plumes appearing in summer and fall. The ornamental grass is rarely bothered by pests or disease, is deer-resistant and is generally considered a low-maintenance landscaping plant.
How do you winterize purple fountain grass?
Easy to Overwinter Like most ornamental grasses, purple fountain grass does best when you cut it back drastically to remove old leaves. Do this when you bring it indoors, cutting back both flowers and leaves to about 2 or 3 inches (3-5 cm) high. Place the plant near a sunny window in a heated room.
Is purple fountain grass drought-tolerant?
While purple fountain grass is considered a drought-tolerant ornamental grass, it should still be watered consistently as it’s getting established in your landscape. Give new plants water once or twice a week, about an inch total, allowing time for the soil to dry to the touch between each watering.
What does fountain grass look like?
The deep green leaves of fountain grass turn orange-bronze in autumn, and fade to dull beige. The inflorescences do not last through the winter. Fountain grass blooms in fuzzy-looking, bottle-brush-like inflorescences. In late summer showy, white to pink, copper or purple flower spikes are produced above the leaves.
Will purple fountain grass come back each year?
This perennial grass is a warm-season grass, and the purple foliage will grow year-round in warmer climates, blooming well into late summer and fall. In colder climates, you should plant purple fountain grass in early spring and grow the plant as an annual, as it will not survive cold winters.
How do I protect my purple fountain grass in the winter? Some gardeners have had success digging and potting up the plants to overwinter indoors. Keep the plants in a cool, not freezing, dark location with slightly moist soil.
Does purple grass come back every year?
This perennial grass is a warm-season grass, and the purple foliage will grow year-round in warmer climates, blooming well into late summer and fall. In colder climates, you should plant purple fountain grass in early spring and grow the plant as an annual, as it will not survive cold winters.
Does purple fountain grass like sun or shade?
Purple fountain grass will tolerate some light shade, but it prefers to be planted in full sunlight. Look for an area in your garden where it will receive bright light at least six to eight hours a day.
In conclusion, the purple grass commonly known as purple fountain grass or Pennisetum setaceum is a vibrant and attractive ornamental plant that adds a pop of color to gardens and landscapes. Its unique color and graceful movement in the wind make it a popular choice for adding visual interest and contrast to outdoor spaces. Whether used in borders, containers, or as a focal point, the purple grass offers a striking aesthetic that can enhance the overall beauty of any garden. Consider incorporating this stunning plant into your own landscaping to enjoy its beauty and appeal year-round.