Dwarf Fountain Grass

Dwarf Fountain Grass, Perennial Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Pennisetum alopecuroides: Perennial Fountain Grass

Location on campus: in the landscape beds on the east side of Karls Hall.

sometimes can become turf weed if two or more cultivars of this species are planted, since they can produce viable seedlings from cross-pollination
medium green to dark green, slender leaves, 1/4" wide and 1.5-2.5' long
foliage mound is 1.5-2.5' high
inflorescence is a fuzzy spike about 3-6" long and 1-1.5" wide, silvery to slightly reddish in color; one cultivar has blackish hairs in spike
requires full sun to light shade and prefers well-drained, but moist soils
- will not tolerate wet soils, but can do well in very dry soils
trim foliage back to ground in winter
divide or move in spring to mid-summer