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Pennisetum orientale (Oriental fountain grass, Tall tails)

Pennisetum orientale Photo/Illustration: Jerry Pavia

(Based on 2 user reviews)

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Pennisetum orientale pen-nih-SEE-tum or-ee-en-TAL-ee Common Name: Oriental fountain grass, Tall tails Genus: Pennisetum
Pink, bottle-brush flowers rise well above arching clumps of graceful foliage in summer. This grass is beautiful in a mixed border, rock garden, or massed at waterside. It blooms in June with pink plumes.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Compact tuft of grass with abundant fuzzy pink flower spikes.
 Care: Site in full sun and light, fertile, well-drained soil. Cut back the previous year's growth by early spring.
 Propagation: Start seeds indoors in early spring at 55-64° F, or divide plants in late spring or early summer.
 Problems: Usually problem-free, but rust, eye spot, and other leaf spots sometimes affect plants.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Moderate Grower
Light Full Sun Only
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Low
Tolerance Deer Tolerant
Characteristics Showy Flowers; Showy Foliage
Bloom Time Late Summer; Summer
Flower Color Pink Flower
Uses , Beds and Borders, Waterside
Style , Rock Garden
Seasonal Interest , Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type ,Grasses

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