Purple Fountain Grass Plants – Set of 2 Ornamental Live Plants, 5-9 Inch Tall

Overview

Introduce a touch of elegance and vibrant color to your garden with the purple fountain grass live plant. This captivating ornamental grass, scientifically known as Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’, is celebrated for its striking burgundy-purple foliage and soft, arching plumes that sway gently in the breeze. A favorite among gardeners, this plant offers a unique visual appeal that enhances any landscape design. Whether used as a specimen plant, in mass plantings, or as a filler in perennial beds, its distinctive color and texture create a stunning focal point. Originating from warm climates, it’s often grown as an annual in cooler regions but can be a hardy perennial in warmer USDA zones. Its fast-growing nature and relatively low maintenance make it an excellent choice for both experienced and novice gardeners looking to add dynamic beauty to their outdoor spaces.

Key Benefits

The purple fountain grass live plant provides numerous benefits, making it a highly desirable addition to various garden settings. Its visual impact and ease of growth contribute significantly to its popularity.

• Stunning Visual Appeal: Features rich burgundy-purple leaves and graceful, feathery plumes that add dramatic color and texture to any garden or container. This ornamental grass ensures your landscape stands out.
• Fast Growth Rate: Establishes quickly, allowing you to enjoy its full beauty sooner after planting, making it an instant impact plant.
• Low Maintenance: This easy care grass requires minimal fuss once established, ideal for busy gardeners or those seeking beautiful plants without constant attention.
• Drought Tolerance: Once mature, purple fountain grass is relatively drought-tolerant, reducing the need for frequent watering.
• Versatile Landscaping Use: Perfect for mass plantings, borders, specimen planting, or as a striking element in decorative urns and containers.
• Long-Lasting Blooms: Its lovely plumes remain attractive from early summer until the first frost, providing continuous interest throughout the growing season.
• Perennial in Warmer Climates: In suitable climates, it acts as a hardy perennial grass, returning year after year with minimal effort.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your purple fountain grass live plant is straightforward, ensuring a vibrant and healthy display. This ornamental grass thrives with proper light, water, and soil conditions. For optimal growth, plant in a location where it receives full sunlight. While it can tolerate some light shade, full sun promotes the most intense foliage color and abundant plume production. Aim for at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. When it comes to watering, consistent moisture is key during the establishment phase. Once established, purple fountain grass is quite drought-tolerant, but regular watering during prolonged dry spells will keep it looking its best. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.

Regarding soil, this Pennisetum setaceum variety isn’t overly particular, but it prefers well-draining soil. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage, or sandy soils to improve water retention. A slightly acidic to neutral pH is generally suitable. Fertilization is typically not required, especially if planted in fertile soil. If your soil is poor, a balanced slow-release fertilizer applied in spring can encourage robust growth. In colder regions where it’s grown as an annual, no winter care is needed. In warmer areas (USDA zones 9-11) where it acts as a hardy perennial grass, cut back the foliage to a few inches above the ground in early spring before new growth emerges. This encourages fresh, vigorous growth and maintains a tidy appearance. Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids, though they are rarely a significant problem for this resilient plant.

Size & Details

This offering includes a set of two purple fountain grass live plant starters, each measuring approximately 5-9 inches tall upon arrival. These well-rooted seedlings are ready to be transplanted into your garden beds or containers. Purple fountain grass typically matures to a height of 3-5 feet with a similar spread, forming an elegant, arching mound. Its fast growth rate means you’ll see significant development within the first growing season. The plants will arrive without pots, carefully packaged to ensure their health during transit. Expect the characteristic burgundy foliage and graceful plumes to develop as the plants establish and mature, showcasing the beauty of this ornamental grass throughout the summer and fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this purple fountain grass live plant get? A: A: This purple fountain grass live plant typically grows to a mature height and spread of 3-5 feet, forming an elegant, arching mound in your garden.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: This plant is primarily an outdoor ornamental grass. While it can be grown in containers, it thrives best in outdoor garden settings with ample sunlight.
• Q: How much sunlight does Pennisetum setaceum need? A: Pennisetum setaceum prefers full sunlight, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. It can tolerate some light shade, but full sun encourages the best foliage color and plume development.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, this is an easy care grass. Once established, it is relatively low maintenance and drought-tolerant, making it suitable for gardeners of all experience levels.
• Q: What condition will the plants arrive in? A: You will receive two well-rooted starter plants, approximately 5-9 inches tall, shipped without pots to ensure safe and efficient delivery.
• Q: When is the best time to plant purple fountain grass? A: The best time to plant purple fountain grass live plant starters is in the spring after the danger of the last frost has passed, allowing them ample time to establish before summer heat.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: This ornamental grass is considered a hardy perennial grass in USDA Zones 9-11. In colder zones, it is typically grown as an annual and will not survive winter temperatures below approximately 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Q: What type of soil does this ornamental grass prefer? A: This ornamental grass is not too picky but prefers well-draining soil. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter for best results.
• Q: Can I grow purple fountain grass in containers? A: Yes, purple fountain grass makes an excellent container plant, especially when paired with contrasting colors. Just ensure the container has drainage holes.
• Q: Does this plant attract wildlife? A: While not a primary pollinator plant, the plumes can provide some seed for birds in the fall and winter, and its dense foliage can offer shelter for small creatures.