Family

Poaceae

Description

Fountain grass is a graceful, clump-forming ornamental grass prized for its arching foliage and soft, bottlebrush flower spikes that sway elegantly in the summer breeze. The plumes emerge in midsummer, often tinged with pink or bronze before fading to tawny beige. This warm-season grass maintains strong visual interest well into fall, especially when backlit by low sunlight. Compact cultivars, such as ‘Hameln’, are popular in garden borders and urban landscapes for their tidy growth habit.

Native to East Asia, Pennisetum alopecuroides prefers full sun and moderately moist, well-drained soil, although it is quite drought-tolerant once established. It is non-aggressive and generally sterile, making it a more garden-friendly alternative to some of its invasive relatives. The foliage turns golden or straw-colored in autumn and persists into winter, providing seasonal texture and shelter for overwintering insects.

Bloom Time

July to October