Botanical Name: Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'
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Common Name: Hamelm Fountain Grass  
Plant photo of: Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'
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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

Perennial, Grass

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Summer, Fall

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Low, Medium

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Water Garden, Native Garden

 

Accenting Features

Fall Color, Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

 

Location Uses

Background, Entry, Perennial Border, Foundation, Patio, Raised Planter, Swimming Pool, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Container, Cut Flowers, Mass Planting, Naturalizing, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

Hameln fountain grass is a dark green, fine textured grass, slightly more compact then Moudry. It forms a tight, compact mound 1-1/2 to 2 feet in height, and has creamy tan flowers that emerge early to mid summer. Flower plumes are creamy white against green grass-like foliage growing 2 to 3 ft. tall. Very effective when planted in mass.
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.