Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Weserbergland'
Fountain grass, Swamp foxtail grass, Chinese pennisetum, Chikara shiba
Also known as Pennisetum 'Weserbergland'
- Height × spread
- 1.2m × 1m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is rather lower growing than the type and forms a fine-leaved wavy foliage clump of rich green, rather rounded in effect. It begins to flower in summer producing furry bottlebrush flowers held on slender stalks above the foliage and coloured cream. The flowers remain into autumn and become more burnished as the foliage turns gold and bronzed in autumn. This can be grown alongside water or can be an interlude with lower growing perennials - though it must have enough space to reveal its form.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Orange-yellow
- Fruit colour
- Beige
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 1.2m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Prairie garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, 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 in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
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
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