Cenchrus alopecuroides
Common Name(s):
Fountaingrass
Black Fountaingrass
Synonym:
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Chinese Fountaingrass
Flower:
Pink
Blooms :
Jul
to:
Oct
Showy, silvery to pinkish-white, bristly, bottle brush-like flower spikes arch outward from the clump in late summer like water spraying from a fountain (hence the common name). Flower spikes turn brownish as the seeds form
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
NO
Family:
Poaceae
Grass
Foliage:
Dark Green
Narrow, medium to deep green leaves (to 1/2" wide) in summer, changing to golden yellow in fall and fading to beige in late fall. Foliage usually remains attractive throughout the winter.
Fall Color?
YES
Leaves change to golden yellow in fall
Evergreen
Photo by:
Heading 6
Fading to beige in late fall. Foliage usually remains attractive throughout the winter.
Oregon Native?
NO
West State Native?
NO
Origins:
Eastern Asia to western Australia
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
4
Water Needs:
L
Sun Needs:
Full Sun
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
YES
Height:
2-3'
Spread:
2-3'
Growth Rate:
Fast
Native Habitat:
Grasslands, open woods
Soil:
Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils.
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Requires no fertilization
Mulch:
Sterile straw, gravel, coarse chunky bark
Provide full sun, well-draining soil, deep infrequent watering, shear down to 3-6" late winter or early spring, divide every 3-5 years
Long Term:
Winter:
May not be reliably winter hardy throughout USDA Zone 5 where it is best sited in a protected location.
Spring:
Cut back the foliage to about 4-6 inches in the spring before growth resumes. When foliage is removed, spring growth will begin earlier. Old foliage left on the plant can delay the crown's warming and subsequent growth by as much as 3 weeks.
Summer:
Ensure full sun, water once or twice a week. mulch
Fall:
Grasses do not need to be cut down before winter. In fact, they are attractive when left standing and the foliage helps to insulate the crown of the plant.
General Care Comments:
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system, needs full sun, well-drained soil, no fertilization.
Common Problems
Tolerates part shade, but may not flower in too much shade.
Diseases:
Crown rot
Insects:
Aphids, spider mites
Environmental Problems:
Threatens local biodivisity, increases wildfire risks, disrupts wildlife habitat
Pests:
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