Fountain Ornamental Grasses (Pennisetum Alopecuroides)

Fountain Ornamental Grasses Description

Fountain Grass is a striking ornamental grass known for its graceful, arching habit and soft, feathery flower spikes, which resemble bottlebrushes. These plumes, which appear in late summer, add texture and interest to gardens, turning silvery or tan as they mature and providing seasonal beauty well into autumn. The plant itself has narrow, bright green foliage that transitions to golden yellow in the fall, offering year-round visual appeal. Reaching a height of 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 feet), with a similar spread, Fountain Grass is ideal for smaller garden spaces, borders, or containers.

This versatile grass is commonly used in garden designs to add movement, texture, and contrast, often planted alongside perennials or in mixed borders. It thrives in full sun and is relatively low maintenance, making it a great choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Its graceful arching form and ability to tolerate a range of soil types make it well suited for a variety of garden styles, from contemporary to cottage gardens.

Pruning Advice

When to Prune: The best time to prune Fountain Grass is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. Pruning at this time prevents the accumulation of dead foliage and prepares the plant for fresh growth.

How to Prune: Cut back the previous growth to about 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) above the ground. Use sharp, clean secateurs or shears to make a clean cut, ensuring you remove all the dead foliage. This helps prevent disease and encourages healthy new growth.

Additional Care: While Fountain Grass is low maintenance, it may benefit from occasional division every 3 to 4 years if it becomes overcrowded or starts to die out in the centre. Division helps rejuvenate the plant and promotes better growth. In the growing season, remove any dead or damaged leaves to maintain a neat appearance.

Further Information

Aesthetic Appeal: With its graceful, arching growth habit and soft, silvery flower plumes, Fountain Grass adds movement and texture to the garden. Its seasonal colour changes, from green in spring and summer to golden yellow in autumn, enhance its year round interest.

Low Maintenance: Once established, Fountain Grass requires minimal care. It is drought tolerant and can thrive in a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils, as long as the soil is well drained.

Pollinator Friendly: The flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it a valuable addition to wildlife friendly gardens.

Versatile: Its compact size and graceful form make it perfect for both smaller gardens and larger landscapes, as well as containers. It can be used in borders, meadows, or as part of a prairie style planting.

Erosion Control: Its dense root system helps to stabilise soil and prevent erosion, making it a good choice for slopes or areas with loose soil.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:

* Standard Sized Boxes (Bare root up to 1.2m tall & pots up to 7.5L) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £9.98 charge.

* Tall Sized Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m & over) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £24.99 charge.

* Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £350 | or £82 charge.

* Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £1500 | or £450 charge.