Pennisetum alopecuroides
Family
Poaceae
Landscape value
Pennisetum alopecuroides, commonly known as Swamp Foxtail because it's flower resembles that of a fox's tail, is a tall green fine foliaged grass. Pennisetum is one of the most ornamental native landscape grasses because of it's beautiful flowers. It is important not to confuse our native Pennisetum with the South African species Pennisetum setaceum, which is a declared noxious weed in Australia. Our Pennisetum has been known to self seed a little but this is nothing in comparison to the South African weed form.
Height
1 metre to 1.5 metres
Width
1 metre
Habit
Large grass with green upright to arching foliage.
Flowers and Fruit
Summer to Autumn with foxtail like green-cream-purple tinged flowers.
Aspect
Best grown in full sun to light shade, will handle up to 50% shade. Best in protected coastal aspects. Pennisetum is best planted in mulched gardens with watering during hot dry summers. Cold tolerant to -1ºC, the foliage will brown off in winter frost, re-shooting and greening again in spring.
Soil Type
Loam, clay loam and free draining light clay.
Maintenance
Annual trimming in spring, (when all frosts have finished), to 200– 300mm above the ground. Fertilize with controlled release fertilizer after trimming to encourage fresh re-growth.
Available Sizes
Viro-tubes & 140mm Pots
Planting Rates