'Purple Lea' Pennisetum alopecuroides PP400
Landscape value
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Purple Lea’ is a tall green fine foliaged grass with beautiful ornamental appeal. Some self seed has been noticed in especially wet seasons, however this doesn't compare with the highly invasive South African species.
Height
1 metre to 1.5 metres
Width
1 metre
Habit
Tall clumping tussock with green foliage and straw colour tones in Autumn and Winter .
Flowers and Fruit
Summer to Autumn with foxtail like purple flowers.
Aspect
Purple Lea will grow in full sun and in up to 50% shade. Best in protected coastal aspects. Purple Lea is best planted in mulched gardens with watering during hot dry summers. Cold tolerant to -1ºC, the foliage will brown off in winter frost, 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