Species fountain grass
cream-white flowers with green foliage and stems

fountain grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'

Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln') is an herbaceous perennial grass with a unique and beautiful look. Its narrow, emerald-green foliage is accented by thin, bronze-colored flower panicles that cascade down like a fountain. It's a great choice for borders and rock gardens, where its cascading foliage can catch the eye. Easily established and low maintenance, this grass is drought tolerant and requires very little fertilization. Its spreading habit allows it to look great in both formal and naturalized settings. Fountain grass is a must-have for creating a show-stopping landscape.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 9

Flowers:

Silvery to pinkish-white Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Acidic, Well-drained

Fruits:

Fruits In Autumn Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Fountain grass grows best in slightly dry soil, so water on a consistent schedule. Water your fountain grass once to twice per week during the growing season, and reduce the frequency of watering to once every 2 weeks during the winter months when the plant is dormant. When watering, make sure to thoroughly soak the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, allowing the excess water to properly drain.

sunlight

Fountain grass plants prefer full sun, which means they will require at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day. In climates that experience strong sunlight, it may be beneficial to provide your fountain grass with some afternoon shade for a few hours. If your fountain grass receives less than 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, it may struggle to develop its full growth potential.

pruning

Fountain grass should be pruned annually in early spring, before new growth begins. Pruning encourages new growth, particularly at the start of the season, and it keeps the grass looking its best. The time for pruning may vary depending on climate, with the warmer climates needing to wait longer than those with cold climates. To properly prune fountain grass, remove the dead and long stems, cutting back at least 1 third of the foliage. Allow the grass to then regrow and it will be lush and full come summer.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Fountain grass typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' or fountain grass typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Fountain grass typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' or fountain grass typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map