Plant Type

Annual, Grass

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Pink, Purple

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green, Purple

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Silhouette, Specimen

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Foundation, Raised Planter, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Container, Cut Flowers, Filler

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

This fountain grass is a tender perennial, being only hardy to Zone 8, so use it like an annual. It forms dense tufts of fine-textured grass 2 to 3 feet tall and as wide. Flowers emerge in early summer and are long, soft cattails of pinkish-purple plumes. Flowers persist into October, though the plant generally dies with the first hard freeze.

Will grow in nearly any soil, as long as it is well-drained. Best habit in full sun though it will tolerate light shade; too much shade will make it floppy. Though killed by the first hard frost, you can leave it in the garden over winter for interest, and to provide seed for winter birds.