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

fountain grass

Pennisetum messiacum 'Red Bunny Tails'

Fountain Grass, Pennisetum messiacum 'Red Bunny Tails', is a unique ornamental grass with masses of striking red-tinted foliage, resembling bunny tails. Its clump-forming habit adds textural and colour interest to the garden. In late summer to autumn the fountain like foliage is topped with plumes of reddish‐purple flowers.This hardy and drought tolerant grass is perfect for garden borders or low maintenance gardens. For a lovely display, plant several springing up together. After flowering, you'll need to prune back the foliage to keep the grass looking fresh and attractive.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

7 - 9

Flowers:

Reddish-pink Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

red,burgundy

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Fountain grass needs about 1 inch of water per week. It is best to water during the morning and this should be done every 4 to 5 days. During hot summer days and when the plant is actively growing, it should be watered more frequently. Make sure to avoid over-watering as this could cause root rot. Soil should be damp, but not overly saturated. In the winter months, this species should be watered much less and can even tolerate mild drought conditions.

sunlight

Fountain grass (Pennisetum messiacum 'Red Bunny Tails') requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive. While it can tolerate partial shade, it won't produce the most vibrant colors without plenty of light.This shade-tolerant ornamental grass prefers full sun in the morning and afternoon, but not direct, overhead sun during the heat of the day. To protect the foliage from burning, place the fountain grass in a location that receives direct sunlight for just a few hours. The optimum time for fountain grass is full morning sun and shady afternoons.

pruning

Fountain grass (Pennisetum messiacum 'Red Bunny Tails') should be pruned lightly and regularly, starting in early spring. Pruning should be done by removing dead or damaged blades of grass, as well as any shoot tips that have gone dormant. This will allow room for new growth and promote healthy growth. Pruning should also help shape the plant, giving it a fuller and more compact appearance. It is important to not prune too much, as this could damage the plant. If you must prune heavily, try to do so over a few years instead of all at once. Remember to clean and sharpen pruning tools before use to reduce the risk of disease and damage to the grass.

Season

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

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

Starts Flowering

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

Hardiness Map