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Cenchrus alopecuroides

Previously known as:

  • Cenchrus alopecuroides
  • Pennisetum alopecuroides
Phonetic Spelling
SEN-krus al-oh-pek-yur-OH-ih-deez
Description

Fountain Grass is a clumping herbaceous perennial utilized in massing, as a specimen plant, or in bed borders. Leaves are strongly arching and turn yellow in the fall. This plant needs 3-4' spacing between plants. It is not as weedy as Pampas or Maiden Grass, and this plant will not flower in dense shade. This plant prefers full sun in moist, well-drained soils. However, it is tolerant of light shade and has no serious pest or disease problems. This plant is also highly resistant to deer grazing and is slightly salt tolerant.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Clumping erect grass with arching green-brown leaves
  • Inflorescence a reddish-brown raceme of spiklets
  • Bottlebrush raceme reddish brown
  • Spiklets awned with bristles

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. NOTE the plant currently known as Cenchrus alopecuroides was formerly known as Pennisetum alopecuroides.

 

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Hameln', 'Hush Puppy', 'Little Bunny', 'Moudry', 'National Arboretum', 'Red Head', 'Viridecesens'
Tags:
#deciduous#salt tolerant#apvg#mass planting#flower arrangements#deer resistant#children's garden#playground plant#border planting#bedding plants#grass-like#cutting garden#pollinator plant#fantz#dried arrangements#fall color yellow#bird friendly#apvg-p#weed#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Hameln', 'Hush Puppy', 'Little Bunny', 'Moudry', 'National Arboretum', 'Red Head', 'Viridecesens'
Tags:
#deciduous#salt tolerant#apvg#mass planting#flower arrangements#deer resistant#children's garden#playground plant#border planting#bedding plants#grass-like#cutting garden#pollinator plant#fantz#dried arrangements#fall color yellow#bird friendly#apvg-p#weed#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cenchrus
    Species:
    alopecuroides
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    East Asia, Western Australia
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts birds
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer browsing.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Mounding
    Open
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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 Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
    Fruit Description:
    Seed is in the form of brown grain which break open after a hard freeze and naturalizes readily.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Inflorescence is a raceme of spikelets that are elongated cylindrical resembling a bottlebrush or fox tail. Spikelets yellow-green to reddish-brown, or silvery pink, and have 1-2 flowers. Bracts are awned with elongate bristle. Good in fresh or dry arrangements and shatters before winter.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves grow near the base of stems, are alternate, simple, sheathing, linear, scabrous, bright green, and up to 2' long and .25" wide. Amber yellow fall color.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Poor Soil
    Salt
    Problems:
    Weedy