|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Category: Grass |
| Family: Poaceae (Gramineae) (Grasses) |
| Origin: Africa, Central (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Red/Purple Foliage: Yes |
| Flower Color: Burgundy |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Synonyms: [Pennisetum x advena, P.'Cupreum'] |
| Parentage: (P. setaceum x P. macrostachys) |
| Height: 4-5 feet |
| Width: 3-4 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Drought Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation Req.: Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
|
|
|
|
Pennisetum 'Rubrum' (Red Fountain Grass) - A clumping semi-evergreen grass 4-5+ feet tall with dark burgundy-red foliage and red plumes that rise above the foliage. This grass seems to be completely evergreen (red) in frost free zones, but goes deciduous with frost and it is root hardy to 20° F. Plant in full sun and water sparingly to control height. Looks best if it is cut back in late winter to expose new foliage. This clone rarely seeds out. Drought and heat resistant. For many years most nurseries and references have listed this plant as a variety of Pennisetum setaceum, either 'Rubrum' or 'Cupreum'. While it superficially resembles Pennisetum setaceum, a declared noxious weed in the western US, this plant has been described by some grass taxonomists as actually being P. macrostachys and we listed it this way for several years but the name was confusing to many people and we reverted to the admitably incorrect name that most people were familiar with. Recent work in preparation for the grass sections of the Flora of North America, which will include naturalized and cultivated grasses, indicates that the name chosen for this plant will be Pennisetum advena or perhaps P. x advena. Dr. Joseph K. Wipff, previously with Texas A&M and now a turfgrass breeder, wrote the section on Pennisetum and has indicated that Red Fountain Grass is most likely a cross between P. setaceum and P. macrostachys (AKA 'Burgundy Giant'). As a hybrid the name would most appropriately be Pennisetum x advena 'Rubrum'. The latin word advena means "newly arrived" or "stranger".
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.
|
| |
|
|
|
