Great Design Plant: Fountain Grass — Exuberant, Adaptable, and Stunning Year-Round

Exuberant, jaunty, vivacious — fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) brings animated grace to virtually any garden style. Easy to grow, it delivers nonstop drama and good looks. Caution: In hot climates, it self-seeds prolifically (not an issue in my Vermont zone 5). Red fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) is invasive in California wildlands.

Botanical name: Pennisetum alopecuroides
Common name: Fountain grass
Zones: 6–9 (hardy to –10°F); see California caution
Water: Medium to wet
Light: Full sun to part shade
Size: 2½–5 ft tall and wide
Benefits: Tolerates dry conditions, wet soil, air pollution; prefers full sun but takes light shade; attracts birds
Season: Showy flowers late summer into fall, persist through winter
Plant: Spring, summer, or fall

Distinguishing Traits

Arching stems spray like a fountain — airy, soft flowers contrast beautifully with hardscapes. Medium green mounds turn yellow-bronze in fall.

Shown with Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’

Dwarf forms (‘Hameln’, ‘Little Bunny’, ‘Moudry’, ‘Little Piglet’) suit small spaces. Mass-planted along walkways, they create clean, sophisticated edges.

How to Use It

Mixed borders: ‘Hameln’ as low edging with heleniums, purple salvia, willow bluestar (Amsonia spp.). Combined with tall feather reed grass to accent stone walls — both catch late afternoon light beautifully, especially in October with chokeberry and Virginia sweetspire.

Erosion control: Slopes and runoff mitigation.
Naturalistic meadows: Low-maintenance sweeps.
Patio softening: Cascading foliage rustles in wind. Try red fountain grass with blue fescue in full sun.
Cut flowers: Summer/fall arrangements — mix with coneflower, black-eyed Susan, zinnia.