Posted October 22, 2019. Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ is an annual or perennial ornamental grass. Since it is sterile, however, purple fountain grass can be grown in tropical to subtropical climates without fear that it will escape and … The plumes of the fountain grass can be used as freshly cut flowers. Just look in the pot: this grass already clearly forms a clump! There are many species of the grass genus Pennisetum, including the agronomic crops pearl millet and elephant grass (used for forage and now for biofuel), plus numerous landscape ornamentals, including ‘Purple Majesty’ ornamental millet (P. glaucum).. Fountain grass, P. alopecuroides, is a perennial ornamental grass, with various cultivars hardy from zone 4 or 5 … Needing little care once established, this one is perfect for people who do not get much time to tend to … About Purple Fountain Grass. The Situation: African fountain grass, Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk) Chiov., is invasive outside its native range in Northern Africa and has been damaging native ecosystems in Hawaii. 0 0. Purple fountain grass blooms purple tassel seed heads during the summer months and is easy-to-grow in virtually any soil type. It will even grow vigorously in the gaps between sections of concrete and bedrock of natural slopes. The feathery inflorescence is 12 inches long and occurs from early summer to frost. The fruits of this grass are small seeds that volunteer to form small plantlets nearby; this plant is considered mildly invasive. It is named for the arching spikes of purplish flowers that grow out of its mass of long, slender burgundy-colored leaves. They are known commonly as fountaingrasses (fountain grasses). Native to Africa and the Middle East, it spreads easily and is overtaking areas of the desert, outcompeting the … Not only can it be grown as a perennial or an annual, but the attractive, droopy grass with its feathery purple plumes is considered an invasive pest in some areas while welcome in others. The problem with regular Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum), is that while attractive – it is considered an invasive plant in many areas including the southern half of the United States and Hawaii.. The cascading leaves on this plant have a fountain-like appearance. Fountain grass is … How to grow purple fountain grass in a garden. Fountain grass has become invasive in Hawaii and the southern continental United States, Australia, the Canary Islands, southern Europe, and southern Africa. Clump-forming grasses grow in mounds or clumps, making them ideal for many areas without becoming invasive. The sound of the foliage moving in the wind is soft and beautiful. Fountain grass is an attractive perennial grass with a densely clumped growth form and erect stems that grow 2 to 3 feet high. 4. Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum “Rubrum”) is a mound-forming ornamental grass growing in USDA zones 8 through 11. Purple fountain grass also looks … Can be grown as an annual or a perennial. DESCRIPTION: Large size grass with burgundy-maroon colour and a weeping form. Fountain grass or African fountain grass is a highly invasive tufted grass. Next. I'm wanting to figure out which I have. Choose a place in the garden that gets full sun to half shade. Fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) is regarded as an environmental weed in Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia, New South Wales and South Australia, and as a potential environmental weed in elsewhere in Australia. Spreading like this ultimately leads to a … Some, including the invasive fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) and Mexican feather grass (Stipa tenuissima), have proved to be pests in the landscape. 6. Fountain grass grows in thick stands, and it can crowd out native plants, divert free-flowing … Usually a perennial, it can be grown as an annual grass in cold northern areas. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots. It has been used for soil stabilisation and is a weed of pastures and alongside railway lines and roads. It has been widely planted in urban settings as a landscape ornamental. The small flowers of fountain grass are grouped in pink or purple, bristly, upright inflorescences 6-15 inches long. Fountain grass (synonyms: crimson fountain grass, purple fountain grass, fountaingrass) is a warm climate, perennial bunchgrass native to northern Africa and western Asia. Growing purple fountain grass is easy and requires little maintenance once established. Fountain grass (Pennisetum) is a mound-forming ornamental grass and a garden favorite, as the care of fountain grass is easy. This award winning grass is a non-invasive variety that is drought tolerant, attracts butterflies and is deer resistant. Purple fountain grass has … It … A warm-season bunchgrass (evergreen in warm winters) much admired for its purple foliage … The ornamental beauties can attract wildlife. Fountain grass seeds may disperse readily from … Fountain grass grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained, fertile soil, and is popular for use in mixed container gardens. Fountain grass, Pennisetum setaceum, is a perennial grass native to Africa that grows 2 to 3 feet high and bears purple, pink or green flowers. Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum', purple fountain grass October 08, 2020 / SFA Horticulture. The downside is that in California, Fountain Grass has no natural enemies and readily out-competes other plants. Was this answer useful? It is an ornamental, fast-growing plant that resists drought and can be identified by its eye-catching purple flower spikes. Once escaped, this grass can form dense stands that exclude all other plants. But other cultivars, are non-invasive and sterile. Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum "Rubrum" and "Purpureum"), which is also called red fountain grass, is something of a multiple personality in the garden. Fountain grass, AKA Cenchrus setaceus, is a perennial bunch grass. Soft feathery plumes all year round. In Purple Fountain Grass – Pennisetum setaceum. It can be used alone as a specimen plant or in a border … It has been introduced to many parts of the world as an ornamental plant, and has become an invasive species in some of them. Like blue fescue, this deer-resistant ornamental grass is practically defined by its color (Rubrum means "red" in Latin). 1 – 1.5 feet. Growth Characteristics • Tufted perennial … Fountain Grass. 2 – 4 feet. Annual Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum): Grown as an annual throughout South Carolina, it will get 4 to 5 feet tall by summers end. Pennisetum alopecuroides (Fountain Grass) is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. That’s good news for Southern gardeners (zones 8 and above), as the species P. setaceum is highly invasive and growing it is illegal in many areas. Tropical and East Africa; SW Asia. Pennisetum setaceum, commonly known as fountain grass, is a popular ornamental plant and has been planted widely in areas with warm, arid climates.It has spread by seed into natural areas from cultivated plants. According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species, and for 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Pennisetum advena Rubrum - purple fountain grass. Includes three actively growing plants in 2.5" … It is now an increasingly problematic weed in California. For example, ‘Rebrum’ cultivar is sterile and needs some care to grow healthy. Plants are used as ornamentals in gardens and along roadsides, and are often found in motel gardens. This grass is also called Fountain Grass, just without the ‘Purple’. Over time, it has escaped cultivated areas and is now found in many arid land habitats. LOCATION: Plant in well drained soil in … Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum rubrum) – Easy-Growing Grass with Drama Landscaping with Non-Invasive Grass Grasses come in such a variety of colors, sizes, and textures, that it’s easy to find the perfect grass to meet your landscaping desires, whether you grow these decorative grasses for shade or sun. Photos: The African fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum), a plant which forms a tuft of slender leaves and many feathery pale spikes with a slight purple hue; Public garden near Ggantija Temples invaded by the fountain grass, and the same public garden after being cleared from the invasive species by dedicated workers from Rural Gozo and ecoGozo. Its seeds are carried long … https://www.gardendesign.com/ornamental-grasses/purple-fountain.html Fruits are small, dry achenes adorned with long showy bristles. The final word. Pennisetum / ˌ p ɛ n ɪ ˈ s iː t əm / is a widespread genus of plants in the grass family, native to tropical and warm temperate regions of the world. This invasive grass grows in large clusters of narrow leaves that end in elegant plumes. It is drought-tolerant, grows fast, reaches 3 feet … Some nurseries sell varieties that are said to be sterile, but many still produce small amounts of seeds that can remain viable for several years. It is easy to distinguish between a potentially invasive grass and a clumping grass at the time of purchase. Prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. These grasses are only cold … In my opinion, these … It is invasive, and if you plant it in your yard, you will soon have seedlings of Fountain Grass popping up wherever there is bare soil. It was also recently listed as a priority environmental weed in at least one Natural Resource Management region, and appears in the Global Invasive … Thank you! Full Sun; Part Sun/Shade; Medium; Flowering; Previous. Is Purple Fountain Grass invasive. Answered by … How to Recognize an Invasive Grass. Do note that you can’t grow purple fountain grass from seed: ... Burgundy Giant’. Purple Fountain Grass. While purple fountain grass is known as a perennial, it is actually considered a tender perennial. It is originally from places like Africa, southwest Asia, and the Middle East, but it is now found right across the world. USE IN: Ideal plant for gardeners that wish to add colour, texture and movement to their landscape. It’s native to North Africa but causes problems in the southwestern United States, most notably California, sprouting at roadsides and on hills and rocky outcrops. The Latin word penna means “feather” and seta means “bristle”. Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Answered by BullheadBart on March 16, 2019. I live along the Colorado River in AZ and have been told that Purple Fountain Grass is invasive and should not be planted here. Pennisetum is considered a synonym of … Enjoy its winter interest too--the plumes and the leaves will turn a subtle straw color after the first hard freeze. As a common landscape ornamental, it is now widely planted in southwestern states. Purple fountain grass is a cultivar called ‘Rubrum’ selected from Pennisetum setaceum, or green fountain grass. This color makes it particularly suitable to mass planting where it can be fully appreciated. Some traders and others introduced purple fountain grass in Hawaii about 1914 and in Arizona about 1940. Cenchrus setaceus, commonly known as crimson fountaingrass, is a C 4 perennial bunch grass that is native to open, scrubby habitats in East Africa, tropical Africa, the Middle East and south-western Asia. A. Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’) An attractive cultivar of the native weed species called fountain grass, this colorful ornamental grass is completely non-invasive. Plant in containers, mass plantings or even along slopes or banks for erosion control. ECOLOGICAL THREAT Fountain grass is a highly aggressive, fire- adapted … Common Name: Purple Fountain Grass, Ornamental Grass. The purple to reddish-burgundy foliage makes it stand out from the normal greenish hues associated with ornamental grass. This grass will be a focal point wherever it's planted. They will spread into your neighbor’s yard, causing consternation next door, and into the wild, causing problems for native wildlife that need the native plants they coevolved with to survive. 5. Full sun. Gracefully arching, wine-purple foliage topped with burgundy, soft bottlebrush plumes up to 1' long appear in midsummer. Just look in the pot. Purple Fountain Grass – Propagation The striking purplish pink flowers are produced continuously through summer. After looking into this further it appears some species may be sterile. This ornamental grass cannot survive cold winters and is hardy only in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9 and warmer (though in Zones 7-8 it can … The purple fountain grass is somewhat invasive. And like Miscanthus, it bears attractive seed heads. By GardenStyle. 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