Cenchrus alopecuroides 'Moudry'
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Moudry'
- Phonetic Spelling
- SEN-krus al-oh-pek-yur-OY-deez
- Description
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Black fountain grass is an ornamental plant with a spreading, clumping habit from the grass family (Poaceae). Moudry is a vigorous grower, often extending out to 3 feet wide, known for its long lasting maroon colored flowers. Wide, dark green, glossy leaves are more upright in form than other fountain grasses. A prolific self seeder in warm climates, it was introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum.
It grows best in full sun but will tolerate part shade. Growing in the shade may lead to less flowering. Highly tolerant of moist to wet soils; it lends itself well to plantings in rain gardens, ponds and slopes for erosion control. In warm climates it may become an aggressive spreader and should be cut back before seeds mature. Division is the best form of propagation.
Moudry received the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit in March 2021 for its ornamental qualities and vibrant color.
This plant attracts pollinators and songbirds. As a specimen plant it performs well in mass plantings or combined with contrasting perennials in mixed perennial borders. Its height and color make it an excellent filler in large containers and pots. See native alternatives to the left.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No notable issues. Weedy. 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
- Seed
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- 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
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- 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 Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
- Fruit Description:
- The seed is in the form of brown grain, which breaks open after a hard freeze and naturalizes readily. Wind-blown or attaches to clothes or fur by hooks.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Black
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Inflorescence is a raceme of spikelets that are elongated, cylindrical, resembling a bottlebrush or fox tail. Dark plumes make excellent cut flowers
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Medium to dark green glossy sheathing, 20 to 24 inch leaves are 1/2 inch wide with finely serrated margins. They turn yellow in the fall and tan in the winter.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Upright to arching stems that grow up to 2-4 feet tall.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Drought
- Pollution
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Weedy
