Plant Type

Grass

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Purple

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Formal, Japanese, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Water Garden, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Fall Color, Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Entry, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Parking Strip, Patio, Parking Lot, Swimming Pool, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Container, Cut Flowers, Mass Planting, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

This grass has dark green, glossy blades, forming a dense, tuft-like habit. Foxtail-like plumes are nearly black and appear in mid-summer. Plumes are useful in flower arrangements. 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide.

Fountain grass are very adaptable, growing in just about any soil as long as it is well drained and in full sun. They perform the best when they are in fertile, loamy soils and receive regular watering. As with other grasses, cut them back in late winter, see the Guides for details. A very tidy grass, well suited to more formal sites and shrub borders, but it also holds its own in raucous perennial borders, providing a valuable bridge between blooming seasons and into the winter months.