WSU Clark County Extension
PNW Plants Searchable, categorized images
              

Fountain Grass

Scientific name: Pennisetum alopecuroides
Taxonomy
Family:Poaceae
Type:Ornamental grasses
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:6 to 9
Sun:Full to partial sun
Moisture:Dry
Plant Characteristics
Height:4 ft
Width:4 ft
Bloom:Fall flowers
Bloom Time:August to November
Bloom Color:Pink
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description With its imposing mound of arching leaves and bottle-brush like seed heads Fountain Grass is staple of the Northwest garden.

  Morphology:
This ornamental grass is considered a warm season grass. It can grow to 3’-5’ in both height and width. All through its life it maintains a graceful mounding habit.

Flowering begins in late summer. Silvery to pinkish-white, bristly, bottle brush-like flower spikes shot out of the foliage like water from a fountain. The seed heads turn to brown in late fall and can persist into early winter before they shatter.

Birds enjoy feeding on the seedheads.

Cut this grass back to 4” in the spring as new growth resumes.

  Adaptation:
When it is given full to partial sun and a well drained soil Fountain Grass will perform very well.

  Pests:
None.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234