Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' syn. Pennisetum ruppeliiFountain Grass, Giant Purple Fountain Grass
Type Perennial, grass
Hardy range 9A to 11
Height 36" to 4' / 90cm to 1.20m
Spread 36" to 6' / 90cm to 1.80m
Growth rate Fast
Form Rounded, upright or erect and vase shaped
Exposure Full sun
Persistence Semi-evergreen
Bloom Color Purple
Bloom Time Summer and Fall
The flowers are showy and suitable for cut flowers.
Environment
This plant tolerates some drought.
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.
Leaf Color Pink
Fall Color Purple and red
This plant has attractive foliage and attractive fall colors.
Culture Notes
Red Fountain Grass is an ornamental grass that is used in the landscape for its reddish foliage and showy flowers. The leaves of this 3- to 4-foot-tall plant are narrow, curving, linear blades with a beautiful red cast. The purple-pink or copper colored inflorescence of Red Fountain Grass sits atop a hollow, 3-foot-long, nodding flower stalk. The feathery inflorescence is 12 inches long and occurs from early summer to frost. The fruits of this grass are small seeds that volunteer to form small plantlets nearby; this plant is considered mildly invasive.
Red Fountain Grass has been considered a valuable accent or specimen plant used around a fountain for the cooling silhouette it presents. This plant is also lovely when planted in mass, and it makes a nice accent in a border. Flowers can be cut for fresh arrangements but fall apart as they dry making them unsuited for dry arrangements. However, it will reseed itself into surrounding landscapes. This could present a problem under certain circumstances.
Pennisetum setaceum `Rubrum' should be planted on a well-drained site that is exposed to full sun. Plants grow poorly in the partial shade unless the soil has been cleared of roots from surrounding trees and shrubs. This grass is grown as a perennial in most of Florida (zones 9 through 10) but is an annual in cooler climates. It may grow back from the roots in the spring in north Florida. It is moderately drought tolerant.
`Rubrum Dwarf' grows 2 1/2- to 3-feet-tall.
Division should be done by lifting and dividing the clump in the spring. Remove old foliage to rejuvenate the plant. Not hardy north of zone 9 but commonly grown there as an annual.
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