WaterĪs mentioned, purple fountain grass needs a good, deep watering once it’s planted. However, it can survive in some light shade, so don’t be afraid to plant it along walls if you’re fine with a slower-growing plant. For it to truly thrive, Rubrum needs at least eight hours of sunlight a day. Purple fountain grass loves basking in the sunlight, where its purple leaves and fluffy spikes can take in the rays. Ensure you water thoroughly and deeply once planted.Ĭhoose a spot protected from very strong winds to help the plant keep its fountain-like shape. You’ll need to space them three to five feet apart, with a hole deep and wide enough to accommodate its roots. Given that mature plants can grow to about 5 feet tall and almost as wide, purple fountain grass needs plenty of space to breathe. However, it’s recommended to plant it in spring to take advantage of the peak growing season. Like most ornamental grasses, you can plant purple fountain grass around fall or spring. If you’re looking to plant fountain grass but don’t want to jeopardize the surrounding landscape, Rubrum is your answer. However, the ‘Rubrum’ cultivar is largely exempt from this classification as it doesn’t set seed. It’s important to note that fountain grass is considered an invasive species in certain areas. It can grow to between three and five feet high, adding height to your space as well. Purple fountain grass is a beautiful plant that adds texture and splashes of – as you guessed it, purple or burgundy – to your garden. You can easily grow purple fountain grass as an annual, or provide protection over winter to help it thrive year after year. This means that it can’t survive cold winters like some others in the ornamental grass category, thriving in USDA zones 9-11.īut you can still enjoy purple fountain grass, with its long, arching spikes, tipped with purple plumes, in cooler climates. Purple fountain grass is a tender perennial. The genus to which Rubrum belongs is Pennisetum, which quite literally means ‘fountain grass’. This family is the fifth-largest plant family and it refers to grasses – which includes all cereal grasses, your ‘typical’ lawn grasses, and even bamboos. Purple fountain grass, or Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’, belongs to the Poaceae family. Purple fountain grass, like most in the ornamental grass family, is very easy to care for, flourishing under a wide range of conditions.ĭespite how easy-going purple fountain grass is, knowing a bit more about it won’t hurt, ensuring that it thrives in your garden whether planted as a natural screen, in containers, or in garden beds. Its deep purple foliage and long fluffy blooms make a statement in any landscape. And high on the list of most popular ornamental grasses is purple fountain grass. Grasses will do fine in a container - other than the largest varieties which will grow too big to handle - though they all do better in the ground.Ornamental grasses are one of the few types of plants that can survive the excessive summer heat while adding lovely textures, height, and even colors to your landscape. The rest can be planted about 3 feet apart. Same spacing for full-size fakahatchee, zebra and tiger grass. Allow this much room as well between it and the nearest plant. The largest grass, pampas, should be planted at least 5 to 6 feet from the house or any walk or drive. But some (like muhly and fountain grasses) benefit fromīeing cut way back, almost to the ground, in spring - late March toįertilize 3 times a year - in spring, summer and fall - with a quality granular fertilizer. For most varieties, you can just remove oldįlower stalks. Plant in a well-drained area.except for fakahatchee grass, which can take a more moist location.Īdd a combination of top soil or organic peat humus and composted cow manure to the hole when you plant.Įven though some grasses are drought-tolerant once established, setting up long-term regular irrigation is best. Some grow very large, some are small, so the area you have available should determine your best choice for a grass. Most of these plants are cold hardy, fast growers that thrive in sun (see individual varieties for specifics). Use in Zone 10, or in containers in Zone 9B. In nurseries you might find it labeled "Hair Grass." Slow-growing to about 3 feet tall, this plant needs even, consistent moisture.not too wet, not too dry.īamboo muhly grass may be hard to find but it's well worth the effort. Ethereal, super-fine fluff of a grass that does best in partial shade.
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