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Prairie Winds® 'Desert Plains' Fountain Grass Pennisetum alopecuroides

Exposure
  • Sun
Flower Season
  • Spring
  • Summer
Mature Size
4' 4' 1.2m 1.2m
Height: 3' - 4'
Spread: 3' - 4'
Height: 91cm - 1.2m
Spread: 91cm - 1.2m
  • Details

    36 - 48 Inches
    36 - 48 Inches
    36 - 48 Inches
    91cm - 1.2m
    91cm - 1.2m
    91cm - 1.2m

    Features

    This large fountain grass makes a beautiful focal point in the fall garden. Showy bottlebrush-shaped flowers emerge dusky purple and age to tan atop the upright vase-shaped clump of green foliage which takes on red, orange, and gold tones in fall. Improvement over older cultivars in habit, flowering performance, and fall color.

    Foliage Interest
    Fall Interest
    Winter Interest
    Erosion Control
    Resists: 
    Deer
    Grass: 
    Grass

    Characteristics

    Plant Type: 
    Perennial
    Height Category: 
    Medium
    Garden Height: 
    36 - 48 Inches 91cm - 1.2m
    Spacing: 
    36 - 48 Inches 91cm - 1.2m
    Spread: 
    36 - 48 Inches 91cm - 1.2m
    Foliage Colors: 
    Green
    Foliage Shade: 
    Green
    Habit: 
    Upright
    Container Role: 
    Thriller

    Plant Needs

    Light Requirement: 
    Sun

    The optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).

    Maintenance Category: 
    Easy
    Bloom Time: 
    Early Fall
    Hardiness Zones: 
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
    Water Category: 
    Average
    Needs Good Drainage
    Soil Fertility Requirement: 
    Average Soil
    Soil Fertility Requirement: 
    Fertile Soil
    Soil PH Category: 
    Acidic Soil
    Soil PH Category: 
    Neutral Soil
    Uses: 
    Border Plant
    Uses: 
    Container
    Uses: 
    Cut Flower
    Uses: 
    Dried Flower
    Uses: 
    Landscape
    Uses: 
    Mass Planting
    Uses: 
    Specimen or Focal Point
    Uses Notes: 

    Best in landscapes.

    Maintenance Notes: 

    This ornamental grass grows best in rich, well-drained soil and full sun to light shade. It does not tolerate wet soil. Leave foliage standing through winter if desired, but cut back before new growth appears in spring.

    This large fountain grass makes a beautiful focal point in the fall garden. Large, tan, bottlebrush flowers are produced atop the upright vase-shaped clump of green foliage. Red, orange, and yellow fall color.

    Prairie Winds® 'Desert Plains' Pennisetum alopecuroides USPP 20,751
  • 5 Reviews

    5
    1
    4
    3
    2
    1
    4
    Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.
    • I planted two of these and they were beautiful, but neither one came back. I’m in zone 6b (now rezoned 7a). Very disappointed they weren’t as winter hardy as advertised

      April
      , Tennessee
      , United States
      , 26 min ago
    • I was so sad to see all fours of these plants not make it through the winter despite the hardiness of the ad for these plants.

      Andrew
      , Ontario
      , Canada
      , 1 year ago
    • I live in North Carolina and I planted this grass in a large pot this summer. It's been beautiful!

      Suzanne
      , North Carolina
      , United States
      , 2 years ago
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