wider than the farthest reach of the foliage. Annual grasses live for only one growing season because of their natural growth habit or they are not hardy in our climate.Grasses have growth habits that are either clumping or spreading. It is more expensive than other plants grown as annuals but this plant will delight you with a showy, multi-faceted display. Learn more about pruning ornamental grasses. Cutting back will also decrease the fire danger as fountain grass turns brown and dry in winter and becomes extremely flammable. Additionally, the grass has no special humidity needs. In cold-winter areas, purple fountain grass does not need pruning. Place it in a pot with good drainage holes in a quality potting soil. Dig down and pop out the whole plant. Unlike the species, this cultivar does not reseed. And stay nearby, hose in hand, to extinguish any stray spark. Clip the foliage down to about 3 inches (8 cm.) Most zones can only grow this plant as an annual, but bringing purple fountain grass inside can save it for another season. Once the threat of freezing weather and frost has passed in spring, you can set the purple fountain grass back … Purple fountain grass does not typically need to be fertilized, especially when grown as an annual. Purple fountain grass can be propagated through seed or division. Not sure if this was the correct advice. Rubrum is a warm-season grass. These are just a few of the magical fountain grasses that we can grow but I guess I really should mention the purple fountain grass, Pennisetum Rubrum, which is quite stunning in its all reddish/purple ensemble of stem leaf and flower. Keep the plant moist, not soggy, watering it about once a month. Trimming back muhly grasses too late in summer can prevent the production of the wispy white or pink flower plumes, which are the most ornamental parts of the grass. Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum, setaceum) is a perennial plant in Sunset Zones 8-24 (USDA zones 9 or higher) but in colder areas with heavy frost, it is usually grown as an annual.It is native to South Africa, southwestern Asia, … The good news: Purple fountain grass is pretty resistant to pests and diseases. A 1-gallon plant planted in April became 6' … Many ornamental grasses are perennials, reblooming every year, but purple fountain grass is more delicate than most.It rarely survives the winter in colder climates, so it's considered an annual in most parts of the country. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, Purple fountain grass, red fountain grass. Press the soil in firmly and water well. Thanks. Taking care of fountain grass indoors is not difficult, but you need to be careful not to overwater the plant. Will it come back? It's cold-weather hardy down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, so if your area remains about that temperature, then you can grow the grass as a perennial and cut it back in early spring each year. While purple fountain grass is considered a drought-tolerant ornamental grass, it should still be watered consistently as it's getting established in your landscape. Dividing in fall will not give the new plants a chance to develop an adequate root system to survive through winter. Additionally, you may notice the likes of slugs and snails around your grass, but don't stress—while they may occasionally eat the foliage, they're unlikely to cause serious, long-lasting damage. It is hardy in USDA zone 8, but as a warm season grass, it will only grow as an annual in cooler areas. A 1-gallon plant planted in April became 6' tall and 4' wide by the first of August. The relatively wide and shallow roots of the grass are no match for freezing temperatures. However, you can fertilize this sun-loving plant with any general-purpose fertilizer if you wish. Top Answer. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. That being said, there are a few more common issues you should keep an eye out for when planting this ornamental in your landscape. I have a lot of other out of zone plants that come back, like dahlias, elephant ears, glads, but not the purple fountain grass. Cool-season grasses thrive in 60 to 75-degree temperatures in April, May, September and October, while warm-season grasses do better in 80 … Q. Purple Fountain Grass/Snail Vine Cold Damage We went through a sub-30's freeze a few weeks ago (San Joaquin Valley, CA) and all my purple fountain grass and snail vines froze. Purple fountain grass does not typically need to be fertilized, especially when grown as an annual. Bringing Purple Fountain Grass Inside. In the fall and winter, keep the soil just barely moist, watering only enough to keep it from going bone dry. Easy Come, Easy Go. Purple Fountain Grass a favorite for color, grace and ease of control. The first step when you trim fountain grass back is to tie up the dead stems. Fountain grass plants may get two to five feet (1-1.5 m.) tall, in a clumping habit. Wiki User Answered . Read more articles about Purple Fountain Grass. I live in Oklahoma, zone 7 I believe, and I have beautiful purple fountain grass growing this year. If you do have the right to do so, any burning should be done in early spring, when the ground is still quite moist. ... a v. knowledgable local gardener once told me to plant this penn in all sand and it would come back. Purple fountain grass Pennisetum species advena Rubrum is one of the most popular types of weeping ornamental grass used by gardeners in Australia. Dig out several inches (8 cm.) When it comes to purple fountain grass, pruning the plant is extremely important. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. Fountain Grass flowers are in shades of purple, pink, or tan; they grow from late summer right through fall. Purple fountain grass may need some staking for support, and take care to plant it in an area protected from strong winds. Purple Fountain Grass is a beautiful ornamental grass with striking burgundy foliage throughout the year. An herbaceous perennial grass in mild winter regions; provides quick annual color in … In zone 9-11 it has its redish colored leaves year round with it blooming during the summer. Books. If you’re looking for a truly stunning landscape plant with dramatic foliage and long, attractive flower stalks, purple fountain grass is a spectacular choice. One of the perks of purple fountain grass is just how versatile it is when it comes to temperature conditions. In cold-winter areas, purple fountain grass does not need pruning. source. Purple fountain grass is an ornamental grass that is drought tolerant. Maroon blades of grass retain their beautiful color from emergence in the spring until the late fall. There are a few determining factors that come into play when making the the decision weather to cut the purple fountain grass back or,to completely remove it from your landscape. Purple fountain grass will tolerate some light shade, but it prefers to be planted in full sunlight. by jbaby7162000 on August 08, 2006 03:47 PM Plants in cold zones should be dug up. Purple tassles appear in summer. Look for an area in your garden where it will receive bright light at least 6 to 8 hours a day. How to plant Golden Japanese Forest Grass (Hakone Grass), 13 Types of Colorful Ornamental Grass for Fall, 12 Best Ornamental Grasses for Your Landscape, 10 Best Ornamental Grasses for Containers, 8 Best Ornamental Grasses to Add Privacy to the Garden. Short video on how to prune back & divide your Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum rubra). The feathery seed heads (or "plumes") can later be cut for dried flower arrangements. A clump-forming ornamental grass variety, it is … Since mature plants can reach about four feet tall and just as wide, they should be given plenty of room in the garden, spacing additional plants at least three to five feet apart. Mature fountain grass plants may get up to four feet (1 m.) wide. Positive: On Sep 30, 2002, jkom51 from Oakland, CA (Zone 9b) wrote: In coastal northern California (U.S.), this reaches amazing height and width. Beautiful as a landscape specimen or planted in groups. Plant as a specimen or en masse for a stunning display of color. Positive: On Sep 30, 2002, jkom51 from Oakland, CA (Zone 9b) wrote: In coastal northern California (U.S.), this reaches amazing height and width. Put purple fountain grass in containers in late summer to early fall, so you are prepared to bring them inside when freezes threaten. However, you can fertilize this sun-loving plant with any general-purpose fertilizer if you wish. It has long, purple coloured, foxtail like flowers pretty much most of the year, (except in the dead of winter). Cut back the dried foliage of fountain grass in very late winter after the seed heads are tattered or no ; longer attractive: this is one of the strongest aesthetic attributes of ornamental grasses. Divide the grass during its growing season in spring through summer. Cut back the dried foliage of fountain grass in very late winter after the seed heads are tattered or no ; longer attractive: this is one of the strongest aesthetic attributes of ornamental grasses. Comb through the trimmed leaves by hand to remove any additional dead blades and debris. I live in Oklahoma, zone 7 I believe, and I have beautiful purple fountain grass growing this year. Come to the end of the summer, purple seedheads emerge and fade to a bronze color. A great addition to containers and beds near your patio or deck. Does purple fountain grass come back each year? In areas where purple fountain grass is being grown as a perennial, it should be cut back to just a few inches above the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth begins to ensure a full and healthy plant. Purple tassles appear in summer. It needs a sunny location with well-draining soil. Ornamental grasses refers to both true grasses and plants that have a grass-like appearance, such as sedges, that are used for similar purposes in gardens.Most ornamental grasses are perennials, living for two or more years. The Pennisetum purpureum 'Princess Caroline', the perennial variety of ornamental purple fountain grass, is on the other hand well suited to tolerate zone 8 weather conditions, and in most cases, will return to full aesthetic value as soon as the weather conditions warm up. Water and mulch before a freeze to protect the roots as … In areas that receive rain occasionally, you will not need to water the grass once it has become established—areas that are particularly dry or hot may need the occasional watering. In cooler climates it is grown as an annual as it will die back with a fair amount of frost but regrows new foliage in the spring. Expect to grow purple fountain grass as an annual in regions with very cold winters, as in USDA zones 1 through 7. New growth will initiate as the temperatures begin to climb. An herbaceous perennial grass in mild winter regions; provides quick annual color in any climate. Sign up for our newsletter. They are a tough and hardy grass that will add a … Cutting back will also decrease the fire danger as fountain grass turns brown and dry in winter and becomes extremely flammable. Expect to grow purple fountain grass as an annual in regions with very cold winters, as in USDA zones 1 through 7. Will it come back? In warmer zones such as yours and mine which is 9b the purple fountain grass is grown as a perennial. This is just to make the chore of cutting back fountain grass a little easier because you won’t have to clean up all the fallen stems. The beauty of purple fountain grass makes it popular as a focal point in a mixed planting, and it is often used in container gardens. Purple Fountain Grass is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. There are many species of the grass genus Pennisetum, including the agronomic crops pearl millet and elephant grass (used for forage and now for biofuel), plus numerous landscape ornamentals, including ‘Purple Majesty’ ornamental millet (P. glaucum).. Fountain grass, P. alopecuroides, is a perennial ornamental grass, with various cultivars hardy from zone 4 or 5 through 10. It beats having to re-plant something every year. I’ve tried planting a few different types but after winter they never came back. Place the plant near a sunny window in a heated room. Growing purple fountain grass is easy. Why doesn’t my ornamental grass come back? A: Common purple fountain grass will come back in South Georgia and Florida but not here.Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ rarely survives Atlanta winters. The growing point (meristem) of the plant is in the crown, at the base of the plant. 'Fireworks' fountain grass dies back after temperatures drop to freezing in winter and reappears in spring in USDA zones 9 and 10. Purple fountain grassnamed for the arcing spikes of purplish flowers that gracefully spray out of its mass of long, slender, burgundy-colored leavesis not a very cold-hardy plant, but it is well worth growing in the northeven if you can enjoy it for only two seasons out of the year. Fountain grass is a spectacular ornamental specimen that provides movement and color to the landscape. The plants may readily self-seed in the garden, but root division is a faster and more reliable form of propagation. Purple fountain grass is an annual grass in Parker County but sometimes pennisetum is known as fountain grass so make sure you have the true purple fountain grass and not some other ornamental grass. Q. Purple Fountain Grass/Snail Vine Cold Damage We went through a sub-30's freeze a few weeks ago (San Joaquin Valley, CA) and all my purple fountain grass and snail vines froze. Answered. A popular drought tolerant grass that forms a tidy, dense clump of purplish maroon blades topped with rose-red plumes. 2015-04-16 2011-11-01 20:08:59. As long as you do not damage the crown, trimming the top should not harm the grass. However, ornamental grass problems can sometimes be seen in a plant's coloring. The foliage is a wide grassy blade with a swath of deep purplish red along the edges. The most common, fungus, is due to trapped moisture or humidity between the dense clumps of grass, so make sure to place your plants several feet apart from one another to increase airflow. I live in the Northeast in areas 6-7. In contrast, the new P. setaceum ‘Prince’ has come back, albeit slowly, in my garden for two years running. Loamy soil often provides the best results, but the plant can do well in many types of mixtures, so long as they're well-draining. When planting, be sure to dig a hole both deep and wide enough to accommodate the roots, and water your purple fountain grass thoroughly after planting. Ornamental Grass Care – Cutting Back In The Winter. Grow purple fountain grass in full sun for best color. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Like most ornamental grasses, purple fountain grass can be planted nearly any time of year, though you'll get the most successful establishment in spring. Like most ornamental grasses, purple fountain grass does best when you cut it back drastically to remove old leaves. The arching leaves that radiate from the center of the plant give it its name. The graceful, purple plumes make good cut or dried flowers. Plant as a specimen or en masse for a stunning display of color. Once the threat of freezing and frost has passed in spring, you can set the purple fountain grass back outdoors. Pruning the plant is important to trim away the dead foliage. To cut back the plant in spring, gather the leaves of each plant, and bind them with a rope or bungee cord. Unlike the species, this cultivar does not reseed. Wear gloves and long sleeves, as the leaves can be quite sharp. It is a tough, vigorous plant that will tolerate adverse conditions of heat and drought. Growing Conditions: This plant does well in most conditions, but a little extra fertilizer will help it to truly flourish.It also doesn’t need to be watered regularly unless … Do this when you bring it indoors, cutting back both flowers and leaves to about 2 or 3 inches (3-5 cm) high. Pennisetum Setaceum: A Grass for All Seasons . Once the threat of freezing weather and frost has passed in spring, you can set the purple fountain grass back outdoors. 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