Keep it moist, (but not soaking wet). Dividing in fall will not give the new plants a chance to develop an adequate root system to survive through winter. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! It has a graceful growth habit that looks elegant in both containers and in the ground. This is a really versatile plant that tolerates full sun to partial shade, walnut proximity, and moist to slightly dry soils. ‘Desert Plains’ fountain grass … A: This is one of the less cold-hardy ornamental grasses, so it depends on … Short video on how to prune back & divide your Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum rubra). Alas, its beauty is fleeting. In warmer zones, growers should leave the tall grasses and plumes through the fall and winter—not only to add visual interest to their gardens but to allow the plant to … Doing so prepares the way for a flush of vibrant foliage. … Purple fountain grass is an annual even though many big box stores try to sell it as a perennial. Dig down and pop out the whole plant. Plants in cold zones should be dug up. A clump-forming ornamental grass variety, it is … Allow the purple fountain grass to completely turn brown and die, if you live in zones where the grass is a perennial. You can also divide the roots and plant each section to start new plants. In winter, fountain grass … Press the soil in firmly and water well. This ornamental has astounding inflorescences that look like purple squirrel tales. Early in spring, when the grass is first starting to wake up from its winter nap, the Aronia will be showing off with loads of white flower clusters which attract pollinators. Plants in cold zones should be dug up. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Like most ornamental grasses, purple fountain grass does best when you cut it back drastically to remove old leaves. Fountain grass is a spectacular ornamental specimen that provides movement and color to the landscape. Keep it moist, (but not wet) because it can die very easily from drying out. Planting Fountain Grass. Sign up for our newsletter. Rake up the cut grass clippings. In mid March, move the plants to a warm sunny location to get them started growing. However, in cold winter regions, it still will not survive prolonged subfreezing soil temperatures. Leave the foliage standing if you like its effect. Bring the container inside to a warm, protected area that receives light, when the weather begins to turn cool. Gently excavate until you find the edge of the root mass. When they do freeze they stay frozen longer and are not constantly going through the freeze/thaw cycle that they would uncovered in a mild winter. This will allow you to enjoy the playful foliage for years to come. This plant can grow in any soil that is well drained with acidic pH level to neutral pH level. She holds certificates in landscape design and xeriscaping. Allow the grass to turn completely brown and trim to the ground. Native to tropical regions of Africa, the Middle East and southwest Asia, purple fountain grass prefers to grow in warm, subtropical and tropical regions of the U.S. U.S.D.A. Fountain grass plants may get two to five feet tall, in a clumping habit. You can bring fountain grass plants inside and save them in the basement, garage, or other semi-cool area. Keep the plants in a cool, not freezing, dark location with slightly moist soil. Fountain grass (synonyms: crimson fountain grass, purple fountain grass, fountaingrass) is a warm climate, perennial bunchgrass native to northern Africa and western Asia. Fountain grass is really popular as a landscaping plant. The goal is to keep the fountain grass dormant, not growing and not shriveling up, throughout the winter. Allow the purple fountain grass to completely turn brown and die, if you live in zones where the grass is a perennial. Grow purple fountain grass in a container if you live in areas where the temperature dips below 20 degrees F. in winter. We propagate the common (green foliage) variety using seed. Put purple fountain grass in containers in late summer to early fall, so you are prepared to bring them inside when freezes threaten. Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides setaceum rubrum) is a member of the family Poaceae, which includes grass. Water the purple fountain grass once per week during winter. Keep the container watered every two weeks, while it is wintering. Clip the foliage down to about 3 inches from the top of the pot and stick it in a sunny window in a cool room. Hardy in zones 9-11, P. x … Growing Purple Fountain Grass - How To Take Care Of Purple Fountain Grass, Fountain Grass Turning White: My Fountain Grass Is Bleaching Out, Natural Christmas Decorations: Making Holiday Décor From The Garden, Wintercreeper Control – How To Get Rid Of Wintercreeper Plants, Getting Rid Of Chinese Privet: How To Kill Chinese Privet Shrubs, What Is Purple Love Grass: Tips For The Care Of Purple Love Grass, Sugarcane Care – Sugarcane Plant Info And Growing Tips, Entryway Plant List: Choosing A Plant For Front Entrances, Boston Ivy Care: Tips For Growing And Planting Boston Ivy, Evergreen Favorite: Container Grown Olive Trees, Evergreens In My Heart – Three Must Have Evergreen Trees, Decisions, Decisions: Choosing An Evergreen In The Landscape, Spruce Trees For Landscaping - Spruce It Up With Evergreens. Providing ample time for a newly transplanted grass to establish before the winter improves its chances of survival. Gradually acclimate the plant to warmer conditions and higher light during spring by putting the pot outside for longer and longer periods over a week’s time. Moisten the soil around the fountain grass … Dig out several inches wider than the farthest reach of the foliage. It’s hardy to a wide variety of conditions. Place it in a pot with good drainage holes in a quality potting soil. Purple fountain grass is a fire hazard in winter due to its extreme dryness. Do this when you bring it indoors, cutting back both flowers and leaves to about 2 or 3 inches (3-5 cm) high. Native to tropical regions of Africa, the Middle East and southwest Asia, purple fountain grass … The graceful, purple plumes make good cut or dried flowers. Next step in fountain grass pruning is to use a cutting tool, such as pruning shears or hedge clippers, to cut back the stem bundle. How to Keep Purple Fountain Grass Alive Through the Winter Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides setaceum rubrum) is a member of the family Poaceae, which includes grass. It will revert to green coloration and won’t look like much for the winter, but when it goes back outside in the spring, it should come back. Taking care of fountain grass indoors is not difficult, but you need to be careful not to overwater the plant. You can put purple fountain grass in containers and bring them indoors where it’s warm. Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides setaceum rubrum) is a member of the family Poaceae, which includes grass. From there, it requires very little water to continue to grow. Make sure you grow this plant in sunny location. Carefully dig it up and put it in a pot. Leaving the leaves standing not only adds winter interest, but also provides shelter for birds and helps protect the roots from cold temperatures. Read more articles about Purple Fountain Grass. It helps keep a bit of interest in the landscape. Planting in containers or in sites that have natural barriers such as curbs also keeps fountain grass under control. Warm season (these perennial types grow best during summer and thrive until a hard freeze): Little Bluestem, Switch Grass, Japanese Windgrass Annuals/tender perennials ( these must be planted every year, although some survive the winter in warmer climates ): Purple Fountain Grass, Purple Millet, Vertigo Fountain Grass Plant purple fountain grass early in the growing season. Purple fountain grass is an ornamental grass that is drought tolerant. The pot should be slightly wider than the root base. Q: Will my purple fountain grass come back after the winter and if so, should I prune it back now? Soil & Fertilizing. In late winter, before new growth begins, cut the plant back to the ground. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Starr shares her passion for nature in her writing, publishing articles on horticulture, outdoor recreation, travel as well as business. Moisten the soil around the fountain grass leading into autumn. Purple fountain grass … It will die in the winter. Prune fountain grass about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm.) Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! If you would like a perennial grass, there are several other options to consider.The dead grass can be pretty in the winter … Once I see those new shoots on each division, I can relax, knowing that I have my purple fountain grass plants for next year. For over 25 years, Joyce Starr has owned businesses dealing with landscape & design, lawn maintenance, specialty herbs and a garden center. It looks amazing mass planted. With its deep purple leaves and long, colorful flower spikes, purple fountain grass is among the loveliest of the ornamental grasses. planting zones 8 through 10 can treat purple fountain grass as a perennial, but cooler regions will need to treat it as an annual. Put purple fountain grass in containers in late summer to early fall, so you are prepared to bring them inside when freezes threaten. Plant purple fountain grass early in the growing season. Native to tropical regions of Africa, the Middle East and southwest Asia, purple fountain grass prefers to grow in warm, subtropical and tropical regions of the U.S. U.S.D.A. How to Winter Over Fountain Grass in Containers. You can bring fountain grass plants inside and save them in the … Be careful while trimming that you do not expose the grasses root system. Rake away the mulch, once the weather has warmed. Water the purple fountain grass once per week during winter. Evaluate your climate. Cut grasses back during winter to about 6″to 12″ height. Use hedge trimmers or pruning shears and cut the purple fountain grass down to the ground. As the plants grow I will probably give them a "haircut" a couple of times during the winter… Pinkish purple … It is hardy in United States Department of Agriculture zone 8, but as a warm season grass, it will only grow as an annual in cooler areas. Wait until it has completely died off in late fall, before trimming. To grow fountain grass, plant it … In addition, it provides protection for roots, and helps anchor new shoots in the spring. Purple fountain grass cultivars rarely set the seeds that allow the plant to spread willy-nilly all over the landscape. Bring it in the house, clip the foliage down to about 3 inches from the top of the pot and stick it in a sunny window. Do not keep the planting site soggy or the grass will develop root rot and die. 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