Dwarf Fountain Grass, Perennial Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Poaceae (Grass Family)

• sometimes can become turf weed if two or more cultivars of this species are planted, since they can produce viable seedlings from cross-pollination

Pennisetum alopecuroides: Perennial Fountain Grass

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

·         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 soilsC 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