Chinese fountain grass or foxtail grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) is an ornamental grass that thrives in sunny sites with well-drained soil. Its renowned for its tactile, bottlebrush-like flowers that have long, soft, 'whiskers' and are pleasing to touch. These are abundantly borne in summer and autumn and the flowers arch or 'fountain' on slender stems, and look particularly beautiful when backlit by the sun. There's a range of named varieties of Pennisetum alopecuroides, with flower colours that vary from creamy white or greenish white to light brown, red, and even purple-black. This clump-forming grass has long and narrow leaves which are green through summer, maturing to golden yellow in autumn. Pennisetum alopecuroides is reliably hardy in milder areas of the UK, to around -5ºC, as long as the soil is well drained.
How to grow Pennisetum alopecuroides
Grow Pennisetum alopecuroides in well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered site. It's a good idea to plant near the edge of a border, path or raised bed, as the flowers are delightful to touch. Plant Pennisetum alopecuroides in spring, which gives plants time to become well established before the arrival of winter.
Once established, Pennisetum alopecuroides needs very little care. The leaves can be evergreen, semi-evergreen, or may die back completely in autumn. If growth remains evergreen, the plant is best tidied by gently combing through with fingers to remove the dead leaves, in spring. If growth has completely died off, cut back to the ground before new growth appears in spring. The dead flower stems die off but are best left standing in winter as long as possible, to provide shelter for insects and seed for birds. Cut dead flower stems to the ground before new growth begins.
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Advice on buying Pennisetum alopecuroides
While Pennisetum alopecuroides is frost hardy, other plants in the pennisetum genus are not, so take care to ensure you're buying the right plant if you want it to be reliably perennial
Ensure you have the right growing conditions for Pennisetum alopecuroides, which needs well-drained soil and full sun to thrive, and a sheltered position for the best chances of surviving winter
Always check plants for signs of damage or disease before buying
