Overview

Transform your garden into a vibrant showcase with this stunning set of two purple fountain grass live plant specimens. This captivating ornamental grass, scientifically known as Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum (also referred to as Pennisetum x advena ‘Rubrum’), is celebrated for its striking visual appeal. Its long, arching burgundy leaves create a rich tapestry of color, beautifully complemented by soft, purplish flower spikes that emerge from early summer until the first frost. This fast growing ornamental grass quickly establishes itself, making it a favorite among gardeners seeking immediate impact and dynamic texture. Whether used as a specimen plant, in sweeping masses, or as a vibrant filler in perennial beds, purple fountain grass live plant offers unparalleled beauty and movement to any outdoor space. Originating from warmer climates, this variety of fountain grass adapts well to various garden settings, especially where a touch of dramatic color is desired. It’s a popular choice for its ability to maintain its rich hue throughout the summer and into fall, providing continuous interest when many other plants begin to fade. Gardeners appreciate its robust nature and the elegance it brings, making it a cornerstone for both modern and traditional landscape designs. The graceful sway of its plumes in the breeze adds a serene quality, enhancing the overall ambiance of your garden.

Key Benefits

The purple fountain grass live plant offers a multitude of benefits that make it an exceptional choice for any garden. Its unique characteristics contribute significantly to its popularity and aesthetic value, providing both visual appeal and ease of maintenance.

• Dramatic Visual Appeal: The vibrant burgundy foliage and soft, purplish plumes provide year-round color and texture, creating a focal point in any garden design. This grass adds a sophisticated touch with its rich hues, making it a standout ornamental grass care choice.
• Fast Growth Rate: Enjoy a quickly established and lush garden. This fast growing ornamental grass rapidly fills in spaces, offering immediate impact and reducing waiting times for a full, mature look.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum requires minimal attention. It’s known for its resilience and ability to thrive with basic care, making it perfect for busy gardeners or those new to ornamental grasses.
• Drought Tolerance: While it appreciates consistent watering during establishment, this hardy grass perennial is notably drought-tolerant once mature, making it suitable for water-wise landscaping.
• Versatile Landscaping Use: Ideal for a variety of applications, from stunning specimen plantings to mass plantings, borders, containers, and even as a filler in perennial beds. Its adaptability allows for creative garden designs with the purple fountain grass live plant.
• Cold Weather Hardy: In suitable zones, it can be grown as a perennial, returning year after year. It shows impressive resilience, tolerating temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Attracts Wildlife: The plumes can provide shelter and food for small birds, adding an ecological benefit to your garden space.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your purple fountain grass live plant is relatively straightforward, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all skill levels. For optimal growth and vibrant color, understanding its specific needs is key. This ornamental grass thrives in conditions that mimic its natural habitat, ensuring a healthy and robust display.

Sunlight: Purple fountain grass prefers full sunlight, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sun exposure per day. While it can tolerate some light shade, especially in hotter climates, full sun encourages the most intense burgundy color in its foliage and abundant flower production. Plant it in a location where it receives ample morning and afternoon sun for best results. Watering: When establishing your new plants, consistent watering is crucial. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Once established, this hardy grass perennial is quite drought-tolerant, requiring less frequent watering. However, during prolonged dry spells, occasional deep watering will help maintain its vigor and appearance. Avoid overhead watering late in the day to prevent fungal issues. Soil: Luckily, Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum is not overly particular about soil conditions. It performs best in well-draining soil, which can be sandy, loamy, or even clay, provided it doesn’t retain too much moisture. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot. Amending heavy clay soils with organic matter can improve drainage and aeration. Temperature & Hardiness: This grass is considered cold weather hardy down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit. In USDA Zones where temperatures remain above this threshold, it can be grown as a perennial, returning each spring. In colder zones, it is typically grown as an annual. Fertilization: Purple fountain grass is not a heavy feeder. A light application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in spring, as new growth emerges, is usually sufficient. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flower production. Pruning: If grown as a perennial, cut back the entire plant to about 4-6 inches from the ground in early spring before new growth appears. This encourages fresh, vigorous foliage and maintains a tidy appearance. For annual plantings, simply remove the plant after the first hard frost or at the end of the growing season, aligning with general ornamental grass care practices.

Size & Details

You will receive two healthy purple fountain grass live plant starter plants, each approximately 5-8 inches tall. These well-rooted perennial seedlings are ready for planting in your garden or containers. When mature, this fast growing ornamental grass typically reaches a height of 3-5 feet with a similar spread of 2-4 feet, creating an impressive architectural presence. Its moderate growth rate means you’ll see significant development within the first growing season. The plants will be shipped without pots, carefully packaged to ensure their safe arrival and immediate planting. Expect beautiful purplish flower spikes to emerge from June until the first frost, providing continuous beauty throughout the summer and fall. This makes the Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum an excellent choice for a dynamic garden display.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this purple fountain grass live plant get? A: A mature purple fountain grass live plant typically grows to a height of 3-5 feet and spreads about 2-4 feet wide, creating a substantial and elegant presence in the landscape. Its size makes it suitable for various garden applications, from borders to focal points.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Purple fountain grass is primarily an outdoor ornamental grass. While it can be grown in containers and brought indoors in colder climates during winter, it thrives best with ample sunlight and outdoor conditions.
• Q: How much sunlight does this ornamental grass need? A: This ornamental grass prefers full sunlight, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sun exposure daily for the most vibrant foliage color and abundant flowering. Partial shade is tolerated, but may result in less intense coloration. This is a key aspect of proper ornamental grass care.
• Q: What condition will the plants arrive in? A: You will receive two healthy starter plants, each 5-8 inches tall, shipped without pots. They will be carefully packaged to ensure they arrive in excellent condition, ready for immediate planting.
• Q: Is this a perennial or an annual? A: In USDA Zones that remain above 20 degrees Fahrenheit, purple fountain grass can be grown as a perennial. In colder zones, it is typically treated as an annual and replanted each spring. It is considered a hardy grass perennial in warmer climates.
• Q: When is the best time to plant purple fountain grass? A: The best time to plant purple fountain grass live plant is in the spring after the last frost, allowing it ample time to establish before the heat of summer. This timing promotes robust growth and early flowering.
• Q: What kind of soil does purple fountain grass prefer? A: This hardy grass perennial is not overly picky about soil type but thrives in well-draining soil. It can adapt to sandy, loamy, or even clay soils, as long as they are not waterlogged.
• Q: Is this ornamental grass drought-tolerant? A: Yes, once established, Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum is considered drought-tolerant. However, consistent watering during its initial establishment period is recommended to help it develop a strong root system.
• Q: How often should I water my established purple fountain grass? A: After establishment, water deeply once every 1-2 weeks during dry periods. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Overwatering should be avoided to prevent root issues.
• Q: How does Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum contribute to garden aesthetics? A: Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum adds dramatic texture, movement, and a rich color palette to garden aesthetics. Its graceful arching form and burgundy foliage create stunning contrasts and focal points, especially when planted in masses or containers. Its reputation as a fast growing ornamental grass also means quick visual impact.