Chinese fountain grass

This is a clump forming, evergreen perennial grass with flat pointed leaves and feathery panicles of cylindrical to oblong spikelets. 'Red Head' in particular is chosen for its early flowering ability and very large bottlebrush-like smoky-purple flowering plumes, which can reach 7cm wide and 20cm long. It prefers growing in a well-drained soil that is light and moderately fertile with full sun. Pennisetums don't like sitting in wet soil over winter so add extra grit to improve drainage if necessary. It would look good in a mixed border, in large pots, or as part of a prairie-style planting. Protect with mulch in frost-prone areas, remove any dead foliage in early spring before new growth begins, and divide in late spring or early summer.

Looks good with:

Arundo donax 'Variegata'
Monarda 'Beauty of Cobham'