Gardeners looking for feel and movement in their outside areas should take a look at decorative grasses, and among my favorites would be purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum). Its form and colour that is striking make it a useful and flexible addition to any backyard, and its easy care makes it a favorite among gardeners everywhere.
Whether you have vast acreage or a tiny urban terrace, allow purple fountain grass work its way to your outdoor living area. Just don’t be surprised as it creates a permanent place there.
Caution: The plant does reseed and is considered invasive in the southwest and southern U.S. Cultivated varieties do not reseed and are considered more garden-friendly.
Debora carl landscape design
Botanical name: Pennisetum setaceum
Common names: Purple fountain grass, climbed fountain grass
USDA zones: Perennial in 9-11, annual in the other zones. Find your zone.
Water requirement: Average water needs; drought tolerant once established
Light requirement: Full sun to moderate shade
Mature size: Up to 48 inches tall and 24 to 36 inches wide
Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant
Seasonal interest: In late spring to mid-fall, the burgundy-black foliage and foxtail plumes remain a constant feature in the perennial garden; brings winter attention in its dried form
When to plant: Mid-spring or after last frost
Glenna Partridge Garden Design
Distinguishing traits: The foliage of purple fountain grass is exceptional, with a striking, dark burgundy/black grassy blade that has a milder green base. This unusual coloration blends in well with other glowing green and purplish plants and blossoms.
Long, foxtail-like plumes seem early in the summer and stay late to the summer and fall, giving graceful movement and feel in the warm-season backyard.
Its moderate size makes it a versatile addition to any backyard, and the rapid growth rate permits you to save money by buying it in a 1-gallon container. In virtually no time in any way, this decorative grass will grow to twice and even three times its own size.
J. Peterson Garden Design
The best way to use it: Purple fountain grass is the best addition to perennial garden beds in addition to bigger container plantings, and gardeners in nearly any zone can find a use for this. Its height makes it a great plant for the center portion of your backyard, mixed in with flowering perennials or planted en masse for a more meadow-like appearance.
If you decide to use purple fountain grass on your combined perennial bed, plant it in groups of three to provide consistency and reproduction. If you tuck it into a container, make sure the vessel is big enough to accommodate the mature size of the pot; I typically opt for pots at least two feet wide at the top. Plant it at the center of the kettle, and put flowering annuals such as purple petunias or calibrachoas and lime-green sweet potato vine around the base. The purple and green colours play off each other beautifully and create a stunning focal point for your patio or deck.
Michelle Jacoby, Shifting Spaces
Planting notes: Purple fountain grass enjoys loose, well-drained soil. Let it dry out a bit in between watering — once established, it is pretty drought tolerant. If you reside in a place with very hot and extreme sunlight, this grass will require some partial shade, particularly in the afternoon.
If you reside in USDA zone 8b or over and would love to treat purple fountain grass as a perennial, let it shine on your garden until late winter (February) if you can cut it back to about 6 to 8 inches. All other zones should treat purple fountain grass as a yearly, but since it is so affordable and such a quick grower, you won’t mind replacing it annually.
More great design plants:
Flowers and plants
Grasses
Trees