Common name: Purple Fountain Grass
Botanical name: Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’
General information:
Popular ornamental grass with dark purple or burgundy-colored arching foliage. Grows well, even in poor soil. Its striking foliage and foxtail plumes show up well when surrounded by contrasting plants. Purple fountain grass is heat tolerant and may be grown as a hedge, specimen, or back of border plant.
Characteristics
Size: 3 – 4 feet tall by 3 – 4 feet wide
Flowers: Tall, upright purple spikes
Bloom time: July through October
Leaves: Long, grass-like leaves
Pests and Disease Problems: Rare, deer resistant
Growing in North Texas
Easy to grow in most any soil in sun to light shade. The plant requires some supplemental water during dry spells and a light dose of balanced fertilizer. Plant anytime from containers. Cut back dead foliage to the ground in fall or spring. The plant is hardy to 20°, so it may not survive very cold winters in North Texas and should be considered as an annual grass.
Warning: No known concerns
References:
“Easy Gardens for North Central Texas”; Steve Huddleston and Pamela Crawford; Color Garden Publishing; 2009; page 131
“Neil Sperry’s Complete Guide to Texas Gardening, Second Edition”; Neil Sperry; Taylor Publishing Company; 1991; pages 251 – 252
“Plants of the Metroplex”; John Howard Garrett; University of Texas Press; 1998; page 45
Keywords (tags): Ornamental grasses, deer resistant, annual