Chinese Fountain Grass 'Hameln' | Pennisetum alopecuroides
Delightful airy flower plumes
Grown by Mike's perennial specialists
UK
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Chinese Fountain Grass 'Hameln'
Pennisetum alopecuroides
- Delivering wonderful tactile interest, Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' produces soft, brush-like flower heads that perfectly resemble fuzzy caterpillars. These persist beautifully into the autumn months.
- It offers a spectacular seasonal foliage transformation, with the lush, arching leaves turning a brilliant golden-yellow as temperatures drop, ensuring your garden remains interesting throughout the seasons.
- Featuring a graceful, cascading form, it is an exceptional choice for adding movement to a sunny, well-drained border alongside other flowering perennials.
- Reaching around one metre in height, it looks truly magnificent when mass-planted in prairie-style schemes, modern courtyard designs, or gravel gardens.
- It is a wonderfully low-maintenance and relatively drought-tolerant perennial once fully established. Simply plant it in a sunny spot and cut back the old foliage in spring to make way for the new growth.
- Beyond its visual appeal, it provides winter structure and valuable seeds for birds. The airy plumes catch morning frost beautifully and sway in the wind, adding a lovely sensory element to your space.
What to expect
Supplied as
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Flower colour
Habit
Hardiness
Spacing
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, Chinese Fountain Grass needs a heavy 40cm wide pot to stop it blowing over.
How big does it get?
Chinese Fountain Grass typically reaches a mature height of 90 cm and a spread of 90 cm.
How much sunlight does this need?
Chinese Fountain Grass requires full sun for at least 6 hours a day.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
Chinese Fountain Grass prefers moderately fertile, well-drained soil.
How much watering does this plant need?
Chinese Fountain Grass needs about 2.5 centimetres of water per week, keeping the soil evenly moist.
Will this plant need pruning?
Chinese Fountain Grass | Pennisetum alopecuroides requires pruning in late winter or early spring. Cut the old stems back to around 10 to 15 centimetres from the ground before new growth appears.
How hardy is this plant?
Chinese Fountain Grass is rated H3 to H4, tolerating temperatures down to -5°C to -10°C. It is hardy in mild southern or coastal UK gardens with excellent drainage, but may perish in cold, wet northern winters without protection.
The wider garden
UK
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