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Products > Pennisetum alopecuroides PennStripe ['PAV300'] PPAF   Pennisetum alopecuroides PennStripe ['PAV300'] PPAF - PennStripe Fountain Grass    [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Grass Family: Poaceae (Gramineae) (Grasses) Origin: Asia, Southeastern (Asia) Variegated Foliage: Yes Flower Color: Green Bloomtime: Summer Parentage: (sport of Pennisetum alopecuroides Nafray ['PA300']) Height: 2-3 feet Width: 2-3 feet Exposure: Sun or Shade Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: < 0 °F Pennisetum alopecuroides PennStripe ['PAV300'] PPAF (PennStripe Fountain Grass) - A compact, dense growing deciduous grass to 2 to 3 feet tall and wide with narrow green-white variegated leaves that are more narrow than other varieties of Pennisetum alopecuroides. The purple tinged green feathery flower plumes of this Pennisetum rise to 3 to 4 feet and are noted to appear later than most Pennisetum alopecuroides cultivars, which often bloom as early as June and continue on until the end of summer. Plant in full sun to light shade in most any soil and water regularly to get established and then only occasionally - this plant is considered more drought tolerant in areas that receive some summer moisture but in mediterranean climates with likely need some irrigation. It will likely prove hardy down to at least USDA Zone 6. Cut back in late fall. Pennisetum alopecuroides is native to open lowlands and grasslands in Japan and throughout southeast Asia. There is some debate as to whether this species is also native in some parts of Australia where its spread can be shown to correspond to European settlement. If native the natural distribution is from tropical Queensland to the south of New South Wales mainly along the coast. This selection has a patent applied for it by Wagner Horticulture of South Carolina and was first discovered in a Florida tissue culture laboratory in 2005 as a variegated mutation of Pennisetum alopecuroides 'PA300' (also known under the trade name Nafray). It was selected for its green-white variegated foliage, which its parent did not exhibit and for its compact habit and narrower leaves. It promises to be a very showy plant and has already been described by some as the "Morning Light" of the Pennisetum in reference to the very showy and popular variegated Miscanthus cultivar 'Morning Light'. Traditionally Pennisetum alopecuroides cultivars have not been used much in southern California due to their deciduous nature but this plant may prove showy enough to change this.  The description above is based on our research and observations of this plant growing in our nursery and in our own and other Santa Barbara gardens. We would appreciate hearing from anyone who has additional information or disagrees with what we have written.     [MORE INFO]