Plant Needs.... Planting site Hardiness: Hardy in UK/Ireland/Scottish Highlands Zones 5 to 9 (-29C to -1C / -20F to 30F) Border/container: Borders and containers Sun/shade: Likes sun Soil type: Chalk, Loam (normal) Soil pH: Acid (ericaceous), Alkaline, Neutral Moisture: Drought resistant, dry soil, well drained soil Hazardous: No
Plant Names... Botanical name: Pennisetum alopecuroides Common name: Fountain grass, Swamp foxtail grass, Chinese pennisetum, Chikara shiba Also known as: Pennisetum compressum, Pennisteum japonicum
Plant Type... Plant botanical type: Grasses
Use For... Ground cover, Bird attraction
Description... A beautiful arching grass with very long, pendulous leaves that cascade attractively out from the clump. The flowers have been likened to caterpillars, though cuddly caterpillars with fuzzy pink brown fur, perched on long, waving stalks. This plant gives a lovely soft effect in a well drained spot in a waterside planting. It's also recommended for planting alongside paths or drives where the long season of foliage and flowering interest is well utilised. It's one of those interesting plants that seem comfortable in both urban and rural settings. It works well in a large garden planted against a path that marks the transition between structured and informal areas.
Typically available as
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Seeds
(GA0)
(GA3)
(GA6)
(GA9)
Bulbs
(GA1)
(GA4)
(GA7)
(GA10)
Plants
(GA2)
(GA5)
(GA8)
(GA11)
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Planting your new plant
Water the plant thoroughly when you get it home, and plant out as soon as possible. Make the hole for the plant larger that the pot it is in and the same depth. When removing the plant from the pot, squeeze the sides of the pot to loosen it. Loosen the roots of the plant, put the plant in the hole spreading the roots to encourage them to grow outwards. Fill round the edges of the rootball with soil to the same level as the surrounding soil.
Care for your plant
Plants in containers need plant food to thrive when in growth. Seek advice from your retailer regarding best product(s). Follow the packet instructions when applying plant food. Remove fading flowers to encourage fresh ones.
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