Overview

Introducing the stunning purple fountain grass live plant, a magnificent ornamental grass that brings vibrant color and dynamic texture to any garden space. Scientifically known as Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’, this popular variety is celebrated for its graceful, arching form, striking burgundy foliage, and soft, purplish-pink flower spikes that emerge from summer until frost. Often used as a focal point, in sweeping masses, or as an accent in mixed perennial beds, this ornamental grass perennial is a favorite among gardeners for its visual appeal and relatively low maintenance. These starter plants are well-rooted and ready to establish quickly in your landscape, providing an instant uplift to your outdoor decor. Its unique garnet color contrasts beautifully with deep greens, blues, and yellows, making it a versatile choice for various design schemes, including those seeking a beautiful purple grass for landscaping.

The purple fountain grass live plant is a fast-growing annual bedding plant in many regions, but it can thrive as a perennial in warmer climates (USDA Zones 9-11). It maintains its rich color and elegant shape throughout the summer, with its plumes remaining attractive even as temperatures cool. Whether you’re looking to create a dramatic border, add movement to a container planting, or simply enjoy a beautiful, easy-care specimen, this plant is an excellent choice. Its ability to tolerate various soil conditions and its drought-tolerant nature once established make it a resilient and rewarding addition to your garden, perfect for those interested in a low-maintenance drought tolerant grass.

Key Benefits

The purple fountain grass live plant offers a multitude of benefits, making it a highly desirable choice for both novice and experienced gardeners:

• Striking Visual Appeal: Features long, burgundy leaves and soft, purplish flower spikes that create an eye-catching display from summer to fall. This makes the purple fountain grass live plant an outstanding focal point or addition to any garden design, providing continuous interest.
• Drought-Tolerant: Once established, this drought tolerant grass requires minimal watering, making it an excellent choice for water-wise gardening. This resilience saves time and resources, contributing to a sustainable landscape.
• Fast Growth Rate: Establishes quickly, providing rapid landscape impact and filling spaces with its vibrant color and texture. You’ll see your garden transform quickly with these fast-growing ornamental grasses.
• Versatile Landscaping Use: Perfect as a specimen plant, in mass plantings, as a filler in perennial beds, or in decorative containers and urns, offering flexibility in garden design. Its adaptability makes it a top choice for diverse landscaping needs, enhancing any purple grass for landscaping theme.
• Low Maintenance: This ornamental grass perennial is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning (typically just cutting back in early spring in perennial zones) and adapting to various soil types. Enjoy its beauty without constant upkeep.
• Deer Resistant: Generally not favored by deer, offering a beautiful option for areas where deer browsing is a concern. This feature ensures your beautiful purple fountain grass live plant remains undisturbed.
• Seasonal Interest: Provides continuous color and movement throughout the growing season, with its plumes remaining lovely until the first frost. This prolonged display adds significant value to your garden’s aesthetic.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your purple fountain grass live plant is straightforward, ensuring a vibrant display throughout the growing season. This plant thrives in full sunlight, ideally receiving at least six hours of direct sun per day. While it can tolerate some light shade, its foliage color will be most intense and its flower production most abundant in full sun. When planting, choose a location with well-draining soil. While not overly picky about soil type, good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve aeration and drainage. For optimal growth of this ornamental grass perennial, ensuring proper soil conditions from the start is key.

Water consistently as the plant is getting established in your landscape. Although it is considered a drought tolerant grass once mature, regular watering during dry spells will promote healthier growth and more prolific blooming. Fertilization is generally not heavily required; a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer applied in early spring can encourage vigorous growth. In regions where temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum is typically grown as an annual. However, in USDA Zones 9-11, it can be grown as a perennial. If growing as a perennial, cut back the foliage to about 4-6 inches from the ground in early spring before new growth begins, which helps rejuvenate the plant and promotes a fresh flush of foliage and flowers. Watch out for common pests like spider mites in very dry conditions, and treat with insecticidal soap if necessary. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues and keep your purple fountain grass live plant thriving.

Size & Details

This offering includes a set of 3 purple fountain grass live plant starters, each measuring approximately 5-8 inches tall upon arrival. These well-rooted seedlings are shipped without pots to minimize packaging and allow for easier transplanting into your garden or containers. When mature, Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum typically grows to a height of 2-4 feet with a similar spread, forming an elegant, arching mound. Its growth rate is considered fast, allowing it to quickly establish and fill out your landscape design. The vibrant burgundy foliage and purplish flower spikes provide continuous visual interest from early summer until the first hard frost. These plants are ideal for creating a dynamic backdrop or adding a focal point to your garden, contributing to a beautiful purple grass for landscaping. This mature size makes the purple fountain grass live plant a significant presence in any outdoor setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: A mature purple fountain grass live plant typically reaches a height and spread of 2-4 feet, creating an attractive, mounding form with arching foliage and flower plumes. This makes it a substantial and eye-catching addition to your garden.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: This is primarily an outdoor plant, best suited for garden beds, borders, and outdoor containers. While it can be briefly brought indoors for decorative purposes, it thrives best in outdoor conditions with plenty of sunlight.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: Purple fountain grass live plant prefers full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, for optimal growth and the most vibrant foliage color and flower production. Adequate sunlight is crucial for its signature burgundy hues.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, it is considered an easy-to-care-for plant, especially once established. It’s known for being relatively low maintenance and a good choice for busy gardeners looking for a beautiful ornamental grass perennial.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: You will receive 3 healthy, well-rooted starter plants, approximately 5-8 inches tall, shipped without pots to ensure safe transit and readiness for planting. They are prepared for immediate transplanting.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: The best time to plant Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum is in the spring after the last frost, allowing it ample time to establish before the heat of summer. This timing promotes robust growth.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Purple fountain grass live plant is hardy in USDA Zones 9-11, where it will grow as a perennial. In colder zones, it is typically grown as an annual and will not survive winter temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Q: Is this a drought tolerant grass? A: Yes, once established, purple fountain grass live plant is quite tolerant of drought conditions, making it a water-wise choice for many landscapes. This characteristic makes it ideal for xeriscaping.
• Q: Can this purple grass for landscaping be used in containers? A: Absolutely! Its elegant form and vibrant color make it an excellent choice for decorative urns and containers, where it can be a stunning focal point. It truly enhances any outdoor container display.
• Q: What soil type does this plant prefer? A: While adaptable, purple fountain grass live plant prefers well-draining soil. Amending heavy soils with organic matter will help ensure optimal growth and prevent root issues.