Pennisetum orientale 'Tall Tails'
Oriental fountain grass, Fountain grass
Also known as Pennisetum 'Tall Tails'
- Height × spread
- 0.9m × 0.46m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
An upright grassy plant with leaves arching in their upper portion. They form a good base for the showy heads of long slim cream-coloured bottlebrush flowers that flower through autumn. The flowers generally stand above the foliage and arch along their lengths. The flowers are characterful and beautiful, wonderful grown with autumn flowering herbaceous plants, as well as in grass gardens.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Beige
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.9m
- Spread
- 0.46m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Prairie garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - late · Planting
Divide when too large
When the plant is too large clumps may be divided into two or more pieces. Rhizomes can be cut, whilst small bulbs or offsets are detached. The new plants can be grown in a container or planted in the ground.
Winter
Winter - mid-late · Planting
Prune to the ground in winter
Cut foliage to the ground before new growth starts in spring.
Where stems are grown for ornamental value, they should be removed either before new growth starts in spring, or during winter when they begin to look ragged or untidy.
Found in
More Pennisetum
Pennisetum
Fountain grass
Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum'
Purple fountain grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Fountain grass, Swamp foxtail grass, Chinese pennisetum, Chikara shiba
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'
Fountain grass, Swamp foxtail grass, Chinese pennisetum, Chikara shiba
Pennisetum alopecuroides f. viridescens
Fountain grass, Swamp foxtail grass, Chinese pennisetum, Chikara shiba
Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Baron'
Ornamental millet, Pearl millet
Pennisetum x advena 'Fireworks'
Variegated Fountain grass
Pennisetum 'African Breeze'
Fountain grass