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Pennisetum alopecuroides
Fountain Grass
Eastern Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia) and Australia; grasslands, disturbed areas, and forest margins
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Overview
Pennisetum alopecuroides is fountain grass (Chinese pennisetum), a clumping deciduous warm-season grass growing 24-48 inches (60-120 cm) tall and 24-48 inches (60-120 cm) wide. Bright green narrow linear arching foliage forms a fountain-like clump (the source of the common name). Purplish-pink to tan-beige bristly bottlebrush flower spikes 4-7 inches (10-18 cm) from August through October (16 weeks including persistent winter seed heads). Foliage turns golden-yellow in fall. In Poaceae. Reclassified as Cenchrus alopecuroides by some authorities. Alopecuroides = fox-tail-like. Native to eastern Asia and Australia. Classified as invasive in parts of the southeastern US — choose sterile cultivars ('Hameln', 'Little Bunny', 'Cassian') in invasive-prone areas. Drought-tolerant once established. Tolerates clay, sand, and urban pollution. Cut back in late winter. Mildly toxic to pets if consumed in quantity. Deer-resistant. Zones 5-9. Full sun. Growth rate is moderate.
Native Range
Native to eastern Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia) and Australia. Found in grasslands, disturbed areas, and forest margins.Suggested Uses
Grown in mixed borders, mass plantings, prairie plantings, and in containers of at least 10 gallons (38 L), spaced 24-48 inches (60-120 cm). Fountain shape. Persistent seed heads. Invasive in parts of SE US — check status. Zones 5-9.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 4'
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Late summer to mid fall (August-October). Purplish-pink to tan-beige bristly bottlebrush flower spikes 4-7 inches (10-18 cm). 16 weeks including persistent winter seed heads. Wind-pollinated.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Purplish-pink to tan-beige bristly bottlebrush-like flower spikes 4-7 inches (10-18 cm) on arching stems held above the foliage; alopecuroides = fox-tail-like; August-October; fades to tan and persists into winterFoliage Description
Bright green in summer, narrow, linear, arching to form a fountain-like clump (the source of the common name); turns golden-yellow to tan in fall and winterGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun (4-8 hours). Tolerates clay, sand, or loam pH 5.5-7.0. Drought-tolerant once established. Cut back to 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in late winter (February-March). Invasive in parts of SE US — choose sterile cultivars. Mildly toxic to pets. Deer-resistant. Zones 5-9.Pruning
Cut back to 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) above the ground in late winter (February-March) before new growth emerges. Leave seed heads through fall and winter for landscape interest and bird food.Pruning Schedule
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early spring
Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons