Chinese Fountain Grass, Fountain Grass, Swamp Foxtail Grass, Chinese Fountain Grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Family: Poaceae or Gramineae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Brown, Red. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded.
Pennisetum alopecuroides is a deciduous Perennial growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 1.5
Where it is found
Grassy places and waste ground in lowland all over Japan.
E. Asia - Japan.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Seed - cooked. It can be ground into a powder and used as a flour. An emergency food, used when all else fails.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
Plants form impenetrably dense clumps and when planted close together in drifts make an excellent ground cover. They are best spaced about 45cm apart each way.
Ground cover: Ground Cover
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Seashore, Specimen. Requires a light well-drained soil in a sunny position. Succeeds in dry soils and, once established, tolerates drought. This species is only hardy in the mild areas of Britain. Plants are growing well at Cambridge botanical gardens, which is certainly not one of the milder areas of the country. There are many named varieties selected for their ornamental value. Plants do not flower freely in Britain except in warm sunny autumns. Older clumps are more shy of flowering than young clumps. Special Features:Attracts birds, Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Invasive, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 3 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Best place to grow: Ground Cover;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 5-9
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist