Red Fountain Grass Live Plant – 5-Pack Bare Root Perennial Ornamental Grass

Overview

Transform your outdoor space with the captivating beauty of the red fountain grass live plant. This offering includes a convenient 5-pack of bare root perennial ornamental grasses, ready to establish quickly in your garden. Known scientifically as Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’, this spectacular grass boasts rich red to purple foliage that maintains its color throughout the growing season, providing continuous visual interest. Its arching leaves create a graceful, fountain-like silhouette, making it an ideal choice for adding dynamic texture and movement to any landscape design. Whether you’re aiming for a modern aesthetic, a coastal vibe, or a water-wise xeriscape, this fast-growing starter plant will quickly become a focal point, delivering year-round appeal.

The red fountain grass live plant is highly sought after for its dramatic appearance and adaptability. It’s a fantastic solution for gardeners looking to introduce vibrant color and structural elegance without demanding extensive maintenance. This grass is not only beautiful but also remarkably resilient, making it a smart addition to a variety of garden settings. Plant it as a standalone accent, in sweeping mass plantings, or as part of a mixed border to achieve stunning results.

Key Benefits

Integrating red fountain grass live plant into your garden offers a multitude of advantages, enhancing both the beauty and sustainability of your landscape. This versatile ornamental grass provides a striking visual impact with minimal effort.

• Vibrant Color and Graceful Form: Enjoy eye-catching red to purple foliage and elegant, feathery plumes that sway gently in the breeze. The unique arching habit creates a fountain-like shape, adding sophistication to any garden bed or container.
• Easy to Grow and Low-Maintenance: This perennial is an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. It requires minimal attention once established, making it perfect for busy lifestyles while still delivering maximum visual return.
• Drought-Tolerant Once Established: Ideal for water-wise gardening, the red fountain grass live plant can withstand periods of dryness after its root system has developed, reducing the need for frequent irrigation.
• Adds Texture and Movement to Landscapes: The fine-textured foliage and airy flower spikes provide a dynamic element, bringing life and activity to your garden design. It softens harsh lines and complements other plantings beautifully.
• Versatile for Various Garden Styles: From modern and contemporary gardens to coastal landscapes and xeriscapes, this grass adapts effortlessly. Its strong visual presence makes it suitable for accent planting, mass groupings, or mixed borders.
• Attractive Plumes for Floral Arrangements: In late summer to early fall, soft pinkish-tan plumes emerge, maturing to a silvery hue. These plumes are not only stunning in the garden but can also be cut fresh or dried for beautiful indoor floral displays.
• Hardy and Adaptable: Thriving in USDA Zones 9 to 11, it can also be grown as an annual in cooler climates or brought indoors during winter, showcasing its impressive resilience and versatility.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your red fountain grass live plant is relatively straightforward, making it a rewarding addition to most gardens. To ensure optimal growth and vibrant coloration, understanding its basic needs is crucial. This perennial ornamental grass thrives with proper siting and minimal ongoing attention. For best results, plant your bare root specimens in an area where they can fully mature and showcase their dramatic form.

Sunlight Requirements:Red fountain grass live plant performs best in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to develop its most intense red and purple hues and produce abundant plumes. While it can tolerate some partial shade, too little sun may result in greener foliage and fewer flowers. Soil Type and Watering: This grass prefers well-drained soil and is adaptable to a variety of soil types, including sandy or loamy conditions. Heavy, waterlogged soils should be avoided. Once established, it is notably drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering. During its establishment phase, ensure consistent moisture without overwatering. Fertilization: Generally, this ornamental grass does not require heavy fertilization. A light application of a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring can promote vigorous growth, but avoid excessive feeding which can lead to leggy plants. Temperature and Hardiness: The Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum is hardy in USDA Zones 9 to 11. In cooler climates, it can be successfully grown as an annual or overwintered indoors as a potted plant. Protect young plants from severe frost.

Pruning and Maintenance:Ornamental grass care for red fountain grass is minimal. In late winter or early spring, before new growth begins, prune back the entire plant to about 4-6 inches from the ground. This encourages fresh, vibrant new shoots and maintains a tidy appearance. While generally pest-resistant, monitor for common garden pests and diseases, addressing any issues promptly. This perennial garden grass is a robust choice that brings continuous beauty with little fuss.

Size & Details

This offering includes a 5-pack of red fountain grass live plant as bare root specimens. When mature, this stunning ornamental grass typically reaches a height of 3 to 4 feet with a similar spread, creating an impressive, mounding form. The growth rate is considered fast, meaning you can expect your plants to establish and begin filling out your landscape relatively quickly after planting. The feathery plumes, which emerge in late summer to early fall, add an additional foot or so to the plant’s overall height, providing a spectacular display through autumn.

These bare root plants are ideal for planting in the fall or early spring, allowing their root systems to develop strong foundations. The mature size makes it perfect for creating dramatic borders, adding vertical interest to mixed beds, or serving as a standalone accent. Its robust nature and striking appearance ensure it remains a captivating feature in your garden for many seasons. The plumes can also be harvested for fresh or dried floral arrangements, extending the plant’s versatility beyond the garden bed.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How tall will the red fountain grass live plant get? A: This ornamental grass typically grows to a mature height of 3 to 4 feet, with a similar spread. The flower plumes can add another foot or so to its height, creating an impressive display.
• Q: What kind of sunlight does Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum need? A: It thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to achieve its best color and bloom production. Less sun may result in less vibrant foliage.
• Q: What type of soil is best for red fountain grass live plant? A: It prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate a variety of soil types, flourishing particularly well in sandy to loamy conditions. Avoid heavy, waterlogged soils.
• Q: How often should I water my drought-tolerant grass once established? A: Once established, red fountain grass is quite drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering. During prolonged dry spells, occasional deep watering may be beneficial.
• Q: When is the best time to plant this perennial garden grass? A: The ideal planting time for bare root red fountain grass is in the fall or early spring, allowing the roots to establish before extreme summer heat or winter cold.
• Q: Is this plant suitable for growing in containers? A: Yes, red fountain grass can be grown successfully in large containers, especially in cooler climates where it can be brought indoors during winter months to protect it from frost.
• Q: What USDA Zones is red fountain grass live plant hardy in? A: It is hardy in USDA Zones 9 to 11. In colder zones, it can be grown as an annual or brought indoors for winter protection.
• Q: Does ornamental grass care involve much pruning? A: Minimal pruning is required. Simply cut back the entire plant to about 4-6 inches from the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges to encourage fresh foliage.