About
A clump-forming, deciduous grass, to 1.2m tall, with erect to arching leaves. In late summer, red flower plumes are held on arching stems gradually fading to brown in the autumn. The linear, flat leaves are coloured burgundy-red with pink margins but where shaded from full light leaves are green with white margins.
About the genus
Pennisetum can be annual or perennial, evergreen or deciduous grasses, clump-forming or spreading in habit, with linear leaves and narrow flowering panicles with conspicuous bristles
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeGrass Like
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationDrought and heat tolerant, but requires frost-free conditions so will need winter protection or moving into an unheated glasshouse if grown in a pot
PruningCut back last season's foliage in early spring
PropagationPropagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free