Pennisetum alopecuroides, commonly known as Fountain Grass, is a warm-season ornamental grass prized for its graceful, arching form and soft, bottlebrush-like flower spikes. This clump-forming perennial grows 2 to 4 feet tall and wide, with finely textured, medium green foliage that turns golden-yellow to tan in fall. From midsummer through fall, it produces fluffy, tan to purplish-pink flower heads that resemble small fountains, creating motion and softness in garden borders.

Fountain Grass is low-maintenance, drought-tolerant once established, and deer-resistant, making it a reliable choice for mass plantings, mixed borders, or as a specimen. It performs best in full sun and well-drained soil and is commonly used to add texture, seasonal interest, and movement to both formal and naturalistic landscapes.

Why choose Pennisetum alopecuroides

Graceful texture: Soft, arching foliage and bottlebrush blooms add elegance

Long-season beauty: Flowers from midsummer through fall and holds form into winter

Low maintenance: Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant once established

Cultivating tips

Sun exposure: Full sun for best flowering and form

Soil needs: Well-drained soil; tolerant of average to dry conditions

Maintenance: Low—cut back to the ground in late winter before new growth appears

Designs for your garden

Mass planting: Stunning in drifts or large groups

Accent or specimen: Adds movement and texture to perennial borders

Container use: Compact varieties work well in patio planters

Ecological benefits

Pollinator-friendly: Flowers support beneficial insects

Bird interest: Seed heads may attract birds in fall and winter

Low resource use: Minimal need for fertilizer or irrigation

Since Pennisetum alopecuroides is not a native species, consider these native alternatives available at Bumbee’s:

• Schizachyrium scoparium – Little Bluestem – A drought-tolerant native grass with blue-green summer foliage that turns copper-orange in fall.
• Panicum virgatum – Switchgrass – A versatile native grass with airy seed heads that attract wildlife.
• Carex appalachica – Appalachian Sedge – A fine-textured, shade-tolerant native sedge that forms soft, flowing tufts, making it an excellent low-maintenance groundcover or border plant.