Pennisetum alopecuroides 'HAMELN' Chinese fountain grass

Chinese fountain grass is an elegant feature to every garden. It has mid to dark green linear leaves growing in a thick cluster forming a shape of a fountain. From midsummer it produces yellow-green spike-like flowers which look like bottlebrushes. They are beige with some purple red overlay. Hameln is a popular variety of compact and smaller habit while flowering stems are well above the clump of foliage letting the flowers exhibit their beauty.

It is best grown in sunny and warm areas, in well-drained but evenly moist soil. This grass is not drought tolerant and without sufficient moisture it will dry out or will not produce flowers. It is recommended to tie up the leaves before winter or provide dry mulch. Cut back in early spring. Hardy to about -27°C (USDA zone 7).

Last update: 14-08-2014; 19-02-2019