Pennisetum orientale
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Erhan yelekci

Oriental fountain grass

This plant grows well in the following regions:

  • CVCentral Valley
  • DTDesert
  • NCNorth and Central Coast
  • SCSouth Coast
Map of regions (click to enlarge)
map of California regions

Description

Oriental fountain grass is a mound-forming, densely tufted, and deciduous perennial plant. Similar to green fountain grass, it has upright or arching, narrowly linear green or gray-green leaves, and showy, pinkish plumes that last from late spring to fall.

It is deer resistant and does best in well-drained soils. Cut it back in the winter for best results in the spring. Seldom self-sows and spreads slowly through rhizomes. Use as a standalone specimen or in mass plantings. Great for edging a path.

'Karley Rose' cultivar has deeper green foliage, darker, rose-purple flowers spikes, and has a longer bloom period, extending into September. Hardy to USDA zone 5a. Parent species is hardy to USDA zone 6.

Sun needs:

  • Full sun

Water needs:

  • Medium water
  • Low water
Water needs information from WUCOLS unless otherwise noted

More information