Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

Fountain Grass

Latin Name:

Pennisetum alopecuroides

A warm season ornamental grass which typically grows in graceful, spreading clumps from 2-3' tall and as wide. Features 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.

Taxon ID#

61 MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4 Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils.

Fertilizer Needs:

Recommended Mulch:

Family:

Poaceae

Origins:

Plant Type:

Grass

Eastern Asia to western Australia

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Dark Green

Foliage Description:

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.

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Pink

Flower Description:

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, and spikes usually persist unt

Fall color:

yes

Fall Color Description:

Changing to golden yellow in fall

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

yes

Winter Interest Description:

Fading to beige in late fall. Foliage usually remains attractive throughout the winter.

Mature height:

2-3'

Mature spread:

2-3'

Growth rate:

Fast

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

no

Attracts Butterflies:

no

Native Habitat:

Grasslands, open woods

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

yes

Photo:

Used by Wildlife:

no

Hedge/Screen:

no

Swales:

yes

Wildlife Use:

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

yes

Windbreak:

no

Cover Structures:

no

Ground Cover:

yes

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

no

Adds Texture/Movement:

yes

First Bloom:

Jul

Last Bloom:

Oct

Ornamental Accent:

no

Garden Observations:

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

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 Care:

Fall Care:

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.

Winter Care:

May not be reliably winter hardy throughout USDA Zone 5 where it is best sited in a protected location.

Long Term Care:

Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring.

Insect Pests:

No serious insect problems.

Wildlife Pests:

Diseases:

No serious disease problems.

Environmental Problems:

Tolerate: Drought, Erosion, Wet Soil, Black Walnut, Air Pollution

Landscape Problems:

Care Comments:

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system.

RESOURCES

OSU Landscape Profile:

USDA Plants:

Calscape Database:

LBJ Native Plant Database:

Missouri Botanical Garden Database:

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=e500#

Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

​

Fountain Grass

​

​

Latin Name:

Taxon ID#

61

MAINTENANCE

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4

Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils.

Fertilizer Needs:

​

Recommended Mulch:

​

Family:

Origins:

Plant Type:

Grass

Eastern Asia to western Australia

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Dark Green

Foliage Description:

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.

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Pink

Flower Description:

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, and spikes usually persist unt

Fall color:

yes

Fall Color Description:

Changing to golden yellow in fall

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

yes

Winter Interest Description:

Fading to beige in late fall. Foliage usually remains attractive throughout the winter.

Mature height:

2-3'

Mature spread:

2-3'

Growth rate:

Fast

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

no

Attracts Butterflies:

no

Native Habitat:

Grasslands, open woods

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

yes

Photo:

​

Used by Wildlife:

no

Hedge/Screen:

no