How to plant and care for Fountain Grass (Pennisetum)

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'

🌸 Flower 🔁 Perennial

Neat mounds of arching leaves topped with fluffy, bottlebrush plumes from August to autumn. Leaves turn golden in winter.

When to plant and care for it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

On planting day
Plant
Plant at the same depth as it was in its pot, 60 cm apart, and firm in.
0–1 days after “Plant”
Water In Well
Give a full can of water, then keep moist for the first few weeks while roots establish.
7–14 days after “Water In Well”
Mulch Around the Base
Spread 5 cm of compost or bark around the plant, keeping it off the stems.

March
Cut Back Old Growth
Cut the whole clump down to 10 cm in early spring before new growth starts.
September
In Flower
Fluffy plumes — take a photo in low sun.