Botanical Name: Pennisetum messiacum
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Common Name: Red Bunny Tails  
Plant photo of: Pennisetum messiacum
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Annual, Grass

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Purple, Red

 

Flower Season

Summer, Fall

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

High

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

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

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Patio

 

Special Uses

Container

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: El Nativo Growers, Inc.

  • Description

  • Notes

Red Bunny Tails is a tender perennial, and so should be treated as an annual in our region. It has a clumping habit and dark, almost black flowers that wave in the wind. It grows about 20 inches tall and wide, and about 30 inches in flower.
Pennisetums grow best in full sun and well drained soils. Provide regular irrigation. Great in containers.