Chinese pennisetum seeds

Chinese pennisetum, Chinese fountaingrass, dwarf fountain grass, foxtail fountain grass, or swamp foxtail grass / Pennisetum alopecuroides - а lush perennial of the Poaceae family. A beautiful inhabitant of the tropical and subtropical zones of Africa and Eurasia, also known as the feather grass. It belongs to the ornamental grasses, called "fountain grass".

It is a rhizomatous herbaceous plant that forms very dense rosettes of many linear leaves, grows about 100 centimeters in height and 50-75 centimeters in diameter. Very fast-growing grass. Will decorate your garden all summer. The leaves are saber-shaped, gracefully curved, prickly, reach up to 5 centimeters in width, glossy, dry and turn yellow in the fall.

Pennisetum gives the landscape a tropical feel. It does not produce additional feathers, so it will not be re-seeded in your garden. Pennisetum is a tropical grass, therefore it requires warmth and high light levels. High light levels help keep the plant compact and also increase the number of lateral branches. Since this is a warm-season grass, it will grow more vigorously with long daylight periods. The plant needs protection from the cold. For planting, use fertile, slightly acidic soil with drainage. The plant does not tolerate excess moisture, so water only during periods of drought.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 (-29°C to -23°C).

Once the grass turns brown in the fall, you can cut it to the ground whenever you want. Pennisetum foxtail is a great architectural element in the garden. It will add lightness and airiness to the flowerbed. In landscape design, such a plant will be a great addition to a variety of compositions.

Alternatively, pennisetum is great for edges, especially for sharp clusters, mass plantings or along slopes. Also looks great in fresh or dried flower arrangements and is truly beautiful in fall decor. A great choice for the garden, but also a good choice for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Use pennisetum either at the back or in the middle of the container, surrounded by smaller plants and those that extend over the edges.

Pennisetum foxtail grows large enough to be grown on its own in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent watering than in the yard or garden.