Overview
Introduce vibrant color and graceful movement to your garden with this stunning set of two red fountain grass live plant specimens. Known for their striking deep burgundy foliage and arching, fountain-like form, these ornamental grasses create a dramatic focal point in any landscape. Often referred to simply as ‘Fountain Grass’, the scientific name is Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’. These live plants arrive well-rooted and ready for planting, typically measuring 4-7 inches tall, ensuring a healthy start in your garden. Whether you’re looking to add texture, color, or a sense of natural elegance, this red fountain grass live plant offers a resilient and beautiful solution for various garden designs.
This particular variety of ornamental grass plants is highly prized for its intense coloration, which deepens under full sun exposure. The slender, arching leaves sway gently in the breeze, creating a soothing visual and auditory experience. Ideal for both seasoned gardeners and beginners, these plants are relatively low-maintenance once established, providing long-lasting beauty from spring through fall. Their versatility allows them to be incorporated into many garden styles, from modern minimalist to cottage gardens.
Key Benefits
Cultivating red fountain grass live plant offers numerous advantages for enhancing your outdoor spaces. These plants are not only visually appealing but also contribute to a dynamic and healthy garden environment. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Dramatic Foliage Color: Features rich, deep burgundy leaves that provide year-round interest, especially when other plants are dormant. This intense color makes them stand out in mixed borders and containers, offering a sophisticated touch to your garden palette.
- Graceful Arching Form: The fountain-like growth habit adds elegant movement and soft texture to the landscape, creating a sense of tranquility and natural beauty. This form is perfect for softening hard edges or providing a counterpoint to more rigid plant structures.
- Versatile Landscaping Use: Excellent for use as border plants, in mass plantings, as a focal point, or in patio containers. They adapt well to various garden settings, making them a flexible choice for almost any design.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, these ornamental grass plants require minimal care, making them perfect for busy gardeners. They are generally pest and disease resistant, reducing the need for constant attention.
- Drought Tolerant: After establishment, deep burgundy grass varieties are quite tolerant of dry conditions, making them a water-wise choice for sustainable gardening. This reduces water consumption, especially in regions prone to drought.
- Attracts Wildlife: The seed heads can provide food for birds in the late season, adding to the ecological value of your garden. While primarily grown for foliage, the plumes also offer visual appeal.
- Erosion Control: The fibrous root system can help stabilize soil on slopes or in areas prone to erosion, contributing to soil health and preventing runoff.
Plant Care & Growing Tips
Caring for your red fountain grass live plant is straightforward, ensuring a vibrant display throughout the growing season. These ornamental grass plants thrive in conditions that mimic their natural habitat. For optimal growth and the most intense deep burgundy color, plant your fountain grass in a location that receives full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. While they can tolerate partial shade, their color may be less vibrant, and their growth might be sparser. Ensure the planting site has well-draining soil, as these grasses do not like to sit in waterlogged conditions.
When it comes to watering, newly planted red fountain grass will require regular moisture to help establish its root system. Once established, it is quite drought-tolerant and will only need occasional watering during prolonged dry spells. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so always check the soil moisture before watering again; the top few inches of soil should be dry to the touch. Fertilization is generally not heavily required; a light application of a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring is usually sufficient. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive green growth at the expense of the characteristic red hues.
Fountain grass care also involves seasonal maintenance. In cooler climates (where it’s grown as an annual), you can simply remove the spent plants at the end of the season. In perennial zones (USDA zones 9-11), prune back the foliage to about 4-6 inches from the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. This encourages fresh, vigorous growth and maintains a tidy appearance. Keep an eye out for common pests, though red fountain grass is generally resistant. Good air circulation and proper spacing between plants can help prevent fungal issues. This robust plant makes an excellent addition to a low-maintenance landscaping grass collection.
Size & Details
This offering includes two individual red fountain grass live plant specimens, each carefully nurtured and shipped well-rooted to ensure a successful transition to your garden. Upon arrival, each plant will typically measure between 4-7 inches in height, providing a good foundation for rapid growth. When mature, these ornamental grass plants can reach an impressive height of 3-5 feet with a spread of 2-3 feet, creating a substantial and impactful presence in your landscape. They are supplied as actively growing plants, ready for immediate planting in your chosen location.
The plants thrive in USDA zones 9–11 as perennials, meaning they will return year after year in these warmer climates. In cooler regions, they are typically grown as annuals, providing a full season of vibrant color before succumbing to winter frosts. Their relatively fast growth rate means you won’t have to wait long to enjoy their full beauty. They are shipped without a decorative pot, usually in a nursery pot or bare-rooted with protective packaging, ready to be transplanted into your garden beds or larger containers. This deep burgundy grass will quickly establish itself and become a highlight of your outdoor space. Careful attention to fountain grass care will ensure robust growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How big do these red fountain grass plants get? A: These red fountain grass live plant specimens typically mature to a height of 3-5 feet with a spread of 2-3 feet. They grow relatively quickly, providing significant visual impact within their first growing season.
- Q: Are these an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Red fountain grass live plant varieties are primarily outdoor plants. They thrive in full sun and are best suited for garden beds, borders, or large outdoor containers. While they can be grown in containers, they prefer outdoor conditions.
- Q: How much sunlight does this ornamental grass need? A: For the best color and growth, your ornamental grass plants require full sun exposure, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Less sun may result in less vibrant foliage color.
- Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, fountain grass care is generally considered easy. Once established, these plants are quite low-maintenance, requiring well-draining soil, full sun, and occasional watering during dry periods. They are a good choice for beginners.
- Q: What condition will the plants arrive in? A: Your plants will arrive well-rooted and approximately 4-7 inches tall, carefully packaged to ensure their safe journey. They will be ready to plant upon arrival, though some initial wilting from transit is normal.
- Q: When is the best time to plant red fountain grass? A: The best time to plant deep burgundy grass is in the spring after the last threat of frost has passed, or in early fall in warmer climates. This allows the plant ample time to establish its root system before extreme temperatures.
- Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Red fountain grass live plant is perennial in USDA zones 9–11. In cooler climates (zones 8 and below), it is typically grown as an annual and will not survive winter frosts unless brought indoors or heavily protected.
- Q: What soil type does this landscaping grass prefer? A: This landscaping grass thrives in well-draining soil. It is tolerant of various soil types, including sandy or loamy soils, but good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.
- Q: Can I grow red fountain grass in a container? A: Absolutely! Red fountain grass live plant is an excellent choice for containers, especially for adding vertical interest and color to patios, decks, or balconies. Just ensure the container is large enough to accommodate its mature size and has drainage holes.
















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