Cenchrus alopecuroides 'Hameln'
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'
- Phonetic Spelling
- SEN-krus al-oh-pek-yur-OY-deez
- Description
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Fountain grass is an ornamental plant with a spreading, clumping habit from the grass family (Poaceae). 'Hameln' is the more compact version of the species, with shorter flower spikes, which was introduced in the 1970's. Its bottle-brush shaped seed heads are attractive and will last into winter, giving your garden some winter interest. This plant is highly resistant to deer grazing. Its seeds are sterile.
It will grow best in full sun but will tolerate part shade. Growing in the shade may lead to less flowering. It tolerates acidic and alkaline soils as well as occasional periods of dry or wet soil but prefers fertile well-drained soil. Can be grown as a container plant, providing the container is at least 3 gallon or larger.
Hameln notably blooms about 2 weeks earlier than other species with showy flowers spikes resembling a bottle brush. When planted in masses they form an attractive cascading water fountain effect.
This versatile plant performs well in mass plantings or combined with contrasting perennials in mixed perennial borders. Its small size lends itself well to container and patio gardens or along walkways and slopes.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No notable issues. Is deer and rabbit resistant.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cenchrus
- Species:
- alopecuroides
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds are attracted to this plant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
- Fruit Description:
- The seed heads are very attractive, will last into winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- The flower spike resembles a bottle brush. and are showy, silvery to pinkish-white.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Medium green leaves are 18 to 24 inches and 1/2 inch wide and turn yellow in fall and tan in winter
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Patio
- Pond
- Pool/Hardscape
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Drought
- Erosion
- Pollution
- Rabbits
- Wet Soil
