Easy to look after and teeming with design chance, water fountain yard, likewise known as Pennisetum alopecuroides, is a durable, stunning plant for both newbie garden enthusiasts and seasoned green thumbs looking to spruce up their backyards. Evergreen in mild environments and low-maintenance in colder zones, cultivars of this lovely grass add waves and texture to landscaping when they’re in season and offer winter season interest with dried foliage when temperatures drop. Integrate fountain yard as decorative filler or privacy plantings with these professional ideas.
Water fountain Grass vs. Foxtail Grass
Some types of water fountain yard might be described delicately as foxtail yard– considering that their bushy flowerheads can imitate the animal’s tail– however these are not the exact same plant as the “problem grasses that animal owners ought to prevent,” says Mercer. “Foxtail lawn likewise describes weedy members of Alopecurus and Setaria that can be damaging to pets,” says Jessica Mercer of Plant Addicts. “The spiky seed heads can burrow in fur and end up being lodged there, triggering skin infections.”.
Types of Fountain Grass.
Water fountain grass is identifiable for its long, thin leaves and fluffy flowers. “There are around 15 named cultivars that vary in height from 1 to 4 feet high and deal different flower and foliage colors.
Little Bunny Dwarf Fountain Grass.
If you’re brief on area, think about a dwarf lawn, like the Little Bunny, which grows to about 20 inches high. “Its little stature makes it simple to incorporate in foundation plantings and borders and well-suited for containers integrating other plants,” says Mercer. “It produces cream-colored seed heads that match any color design, and its intense green foliage turns golden in the fall.”.
Grassy Field Winds Desert Plains Fountain Grass.
Mercer likewise recommends the “large, magnificent” Desert Plains yard, which can top out at 4 feet high. “It establishes dusty purple plumes that fade to tan in the fall. The green foliage is pretty in spring and takes on orange-and-yellow shades in the fall,” she states.
Red Head Fountain Grass.
This early-blooming lawn, another of Mercer’s recommendations, shows off 10-inch-long bottlebrush plumes with a red tinge, and green leaves that fade to yellow in autumn. Use this cultivar to fill a 3-foot-wide space and offer 4 feet of personal privacy height.
How to Grow Fountain Grass.
Fountain yard can grow to reach anywhere from 18 inches to more than 3 feet tall, making it a perfect height to shade shorter flowers and veggies in your garden that don’t require direct sunlight, says Janice Parker, a landscape architect. However given that it grows rapidly, utilize it moderately to preserve the total appearance of your landscaping. “Be cautious about mixing ornamental lawns with other shapes and forms of plants, due to the fact that an excess of linear foliage of any kind will begin to diminish a visual balance of your garden,” she states.
Sunlight.
Plant water fountain yard in brilliant areas for finest results. “Fountain yard needs full sun to flower well and establish a full, upright shape,” says Mercer.
Soil.
Fountain grass is a sturdy, adaptable plant. “This lawn is not specific about soil pH or soil type and can grow well in chalk, loam, and sandy soils,” says Mercer.
Water.
” Water this plant frequently after planting, soaking the rootball about twice a week to promote a strong root system,” says Mercer. “Once developed, this turf just needs extra watering throughout a long stretch of dry, heat.”.
Fertilizer.
Low-maintenance fountain turf can prosper without extra fertilizer applications, though mulching is helpful. “Pennisetum alopecuroides does not require fertilizer and can be mulched annually with organic compost to renew nutrients in the soil,” says Mercer.
How to Grow Fountain Grass From Seed.
To grow fountain lawn from seed, sow inside your home in pots towards the end of winter, or in the ground in early spring, states Kandra. “The seeds must be covered lightly with soil and kept wet,” she says.
How to Grow Fountain Grass in Containers.
To supply height to patio plantings or a line of potted personal privacy lawns around your porch, choose a smaller sized cultivar you can grow in a container. “Care requirements for container plantings of water fountain yard resemble water fountain turf planted in the landscape,” states Kandra. “Keep the container well-watered, and make sure it gets lots of sun. It’s best to overwinter containers of inactive perennials in a cool area protected from freezing temperature levels, such as a basement or heated garage. All potting soils break down gradually, and will require to be revitalized every 2 years.”.
How to Prune Fountain Grass.
While you ought to plan to cut off dead fountain lawn foliage to make room for new-season development, this doesn’t have to happen on a particular schedule. To prevent self-seeding, the grass can be cut back in fall before the seeds mature.”.
If you leave the dried foliage undamaged during the winter season, states Parker, it will “catch the snow and offer structure to the landscape.”.
How to Winterize Fountain Grass.
You can expect water fountain grass to survive the winter season in USDA zones 5 to 9, says Mercer, without much winter preparation. This grass is evergreen in areas with moderate winters.”.
How to Propagate Fountain Grass.
If you ‘d like to add fountain grass to another part of your property– or share some with a neighbor– Kandra advises propagating by division; utilize a sharp tool to cut the split the root ball, plant instantly, and water thoroughly. “This is best carried out in the spring, after the foliage has been cut down,” she says. ” Mature clumps will need divided every 3 to four years to ensure that the centers of the clumps do not pass away off.”.
Common Problems With Fountain Grass.
Water fountain lawn is rather hardy– the plant is resistant to pests (consisting of deer) and illness. Browning or yellowing may happen if the plant gets excessive sunlight, water, or fertilizer, so make certain to hearken its care requirements to keep it delighted with time.
Fungal diseases, like rust (which causes blisters on the leaves) or grainy mildew (which leads to a powder-like spots on leaves), can take place; prevent both by watering the soil only, preventing the leaves (specifically if your fountain grass receives some shade throughout the day).
