Purple Fountain Grass Live Plant – Set of 3 Starter Plants – 5-9 Inches Tall – Pennisetum Setaceum Ornamental Grass

Overview

Introduce stunning visual interest to your garden with this exquisite set of purple fountain grass live plant starters. Celebrated for its vibrant burgundy foliage and elegant, arching flower spikes, Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ is a favorite among gardeners seeking a low-maintenance yet high-impact ornamental grass. This particular variety, often referred to simply as purple fountain grass, is an easy- and fast-growing addition that brings a dynamic character to any outdoor space. Each order includes 3 starter plants, typically 5-9 inches tall, well-rooted and ready for planting upon arrival. These young plants are ideal for establishing a new focal point or adding texture and color to existing garden designs.

Native to warm regions, purple fountain grass live plant thrives in a variety of climates and is adaptable to many garden styles, from contemporary to cottage gardens. Its striking garnet color remains beautiful throughout the summer, with blooms lasting from June until the first frost. Whether you’re looking to create sweeping masses of color, use it as a vibrant filler in perennial beds, or highlight it as a specimen plant in decorative urns, this ornamental grass offers versatility and enduring beauty. Its distinctive appearance makes it a standout choice for gardeners of all experience levels.

Key Benefits

The purple fountain grass live plant offers a multitude of benefits that make it an exceptional choice for any garden or landscape. Its unique characteristics contribute to an aesthetically pleasing and low-effort outdoor environment.

• Stunning Visual Appeal: Enjoy the dramatic arching burgundy leaves and graceful, purplish flower spikes that add sophisticated color and texture to your garden from summer through fall. This plant creates a beautiful focal point.
• Fast & Easy Growth: Known for its rapid growth rate, this ornamental grass quickly establishes itself, providing instant impact and requiring minimal fuss, making it perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners.
• Versatile Landscaping Use: Ideal for a variety of applications, from mass plantings and borders to container gardening and as a colorful specimen plant, enhancing any design with its unique form and hue.
• Drought Tolerance: Once established, purple fountain grass exhibits good drought tolerance, reducing the need for frequent watering and making it a sustainable choice for water-wise gardens.
• Cold Hardy & Perennial Potential: While often grown as an annual in colder climates, it can be a hardy perennial down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA Zone 9-11), returning year after year in suitable regions.
• Low Maintenance: This grass is not picky about soil conditions and requires little ongoing care once established, allowing you more time to enjoy your garden rather than tending to it.
• Deer Resistant: Generally not favored by deer, making it a good choice for gardens in areas where deer browse is a concern.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your purple fountain grass live plant is straightforward, ensuring a vibrant and healthy addition to your garden. Understanding its basic needs will help it flourish and provide continuous beauty throughout the growing season. This ornamental grass is remarkably adaptable, making growing purple fountain grass a rewarding experience for gardeners of all skill levels.

Sunlight Requirements: For the best color and vigorous growth, plant your Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ in full sunlight, meaning at least six hours of direct sun per day. While it can tolerate some light shade, too much shade will diminish the intensity of its burgundy coloration and may result in fewer, less showy plumes. Position it where it will receive ample morning and afternoon sun.

Watering: While considered a drought-tolerant ornamental grass once established, consistent watering is crucial during its establishment phase. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, to encourage a strong root system. Once mature, reduce watering frequency, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Ensure proper drainage to prevent root rot. If you are looking for an ornamental grass for garden that doesn’t demand constant hydration, this is an excellent choice.

Soil Conditions: Purple fountain grass is quite forgiving regarding soil type, thriving in most well-draining soils. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Avoid heavy, waterlogged soils, as good drainage is key to preventing root issues. Amending heavy clay soils with organic matter can improve drainage and aeration. This adaptability contributes to why many consider it a truly hardy fountain grass.

Temperature & Hardiness: This plant is cold weather hardy fountain grass down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA Zones 9-11). In these zones, it can be grown as a perennial, returning each spring. In colder climates (USDA Zones 8 and below), it is typically grown as an annual, providing seasonal color. If growing as a perennial, cut back the spent foliage in early spring to encourage new growth.

Fertilization: Purple fountain grass is not a heavy feeder. A light application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in spring, as new growth emerges, is usually sufficient. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive foliage at the expense of its characteristic plumes. For optimal pennisetum setaceum care, focus on providing adequate sunlight and well-draining soil rather than excessive nutrients.

Size & Details

This offering includes a set of 3 Purple Fountain Grass live plant starters, each measuring approximately 5-9 inches tall from the base of the plant to the tip of its foliage. These are well-rooted starter plants, shipped without pots to minimize environmental impact and shipping costs, ensuring they are ready for immediate transplanting into your garden or containers. When mature, Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ typically grows to a height of 2-5 feet with a similar spread, forming an elegant, arching mound. Its growth rate is considered fast, allowing it to quickly fill in garden spaces and provide a substantial display within a single growing season. Expect to see its characteristic burgundy foliage and graceful plumes developing as it matures, contributing significantly to your landscape’s aesthetic.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these purple fountain grass plants get? A: Each of the 3 Purple Fountain Grass live plant starters will arrive 5-9 inches tall. When mature, this ornamental grass typically reaches 2-5 feet in height and spread, forming an attractive, arching clump.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Purple fountain grass is primarily an outdoor plant, thriving in full sun in garden beds, borders, and large containers. It is not typically grown as an indoor houseplant.
• Q: How much sunlight does purple fountain grass need? A: For the best growth and most vibrant color, growing purple fountain grass requires full sun, which means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It can tolerate some light shade, but intense color may be reduced.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, purple fountain grass is considered very easy to care for. It’s adaptable to various soil conditions and becomes quite drought-tolerant once established, making pennisetum setaceum care relatively low-maintenance.
• Q: What condition will the plants arrive in? A: You will receive 3 starter plants, 5-9 inches tall, well-rooted, and shipped without pots. They are carefully packaged to ensure they arrive healthy and ready for planting.
• 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 spring, after the danger of the last frost has passed, when soil temperatures begin to warm up.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: This hardy fountain grass is perennial in USDA Zones 9-11, where temperatures rarely drop below 20°F. In colder zones, it is typically grown as an annual and will need to be replanted each spring.
• Q: What kind of soil does this ornamental grass prefer? A: Purple fountain grass is not particular about soil, but it requires well-draining soil. It can tolerate a range of soil types from sandy to loamy, as long as drainage is good.
• Q: How often should I water my newly planted purple fountain grass? A: When first planted, water consistently to help establish the root system. Once established, it is fairly drought-tolerant, but regular watering during prolonged dry periods will promote better growth.
• Q: What kind of ornamental grass for garden design best suits purple fountain grass? A: Its striking color and form make it excellent for modern, xeriscape, and traditional garden designs. It works well as a specimen, in mass plantings, or in mixed perennial borders.