The pennisetum grass is a real asset in the garden. Because the ornamental grass is hardy and is an eye-catcher even in the dreary season.
With its arching foliage, the pennisetum (Pennisetum alopecuroides) is an ornament in the garden bed all year round. The flower spikes, reminiscent of small bottle brushes, appear in late summer and can also enrich the autumn and winter garden. In the following, we reveal what needs to be considered when planting and caring for the distinctive sweet grass.
A little botany
Pennise grass is native to China, Japan and Australia. Around the middle of the 20th century, ornamental grasses also became native to Europe. The ornamental grass has quickly gained popularity and established itself as a versatile and hardy garden plant.
The term "Pennisetum" is derived from the Latin term "penna" for "feather". "Seta" in turn stands for "bristle". That's why the name Feather Bristle Grass has become common.
If you are looking for an ornament in the garden bed when most of the plants have already faded, you are well advised to use the "warm-season grass", because it does not sprout until early autumn.
Plant neighbors for the pennisetum
The attractive growth of the ornamental grass justifies its unique position in the bed. Tall and low growing varieties are available.
A pretty picture emerges in connection with the following plant neighbours:
- Catnip
- Sedum hen
- Larkspur
- Phlox
- Coneflower
- Roses
- asters
Plant profile
| Pennisetum alopecuroides | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | spherical, spreading, bushy |
| Growth: | 40 - 60 cm |
| Growth: | 60 - 80 cm |
| Special Features: | late budding, hardy |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | permeable, nutritious, slightly dry to moist |
Plant Pennisetum
Ideal location for the Pennisetum
The original onePennisetum is native to the sunny plains of Australia or Japan. A warm and sunny location is preferred. It is important to ensure persistent soil moisture. A shady stand is not recommended for the pennisetum grass. There it would grow poorly and bring you little joy.
The lamp cleaner grass prefers to be sheltered, against a wall or house wall. Sufficient distance to other plants must be kept. The plants do not tolerate root pressure from their bed neighbors.
Suitable substrate for the pennisetum
A fresh and nutrient-rich soil is the ideal substrate for the pennisetum. Since the plants do not tolerate waterlogging, drainage in the ground is advisable. The sweet grass does not like soil that is too heavy because it encourages waterlogging.
Tip: You can use gravel or sand to make compacted soil more permeable.
Plant pennisetum grass in the bed
1. Select location2. Prepare soil
3. Dig planting hole
4. Insert drainage
5. Upgrade soil6. Insert the plant in the middle and at ground level
7. Press down the soil well
8. Water the plant sufficiently
9. Mulch the soil
➪ Planting time
Spring is the preferred planting time for the pennisetum. Then the plant can grow well, receives sufficient moisture and develops a stable root system until summer.
➪ Prepare planting hole
Once a location that is as sunny as possible is found, the soil is first loosened and freed from stones, roots and weeds. The planting hole is to be dug twice the circumference of the root ball.
To prevent waterlogging, a drainage layer in the soil is advisable, especially in heavy soils. To do this, put gravel or lava granules on the bottom of the prepared planting hole.
➪ Water plant
Before planting, it is a good idea to water the lamp cleaner grass so that the root ball can absorb enough moisture. After planting, pour another ten liters of water directly onto the plant.
➪ Mulch soil
So that the soil does not dry out too quickly, it is a good idea to apply a layer of mulch or compost afterwards.
Plant pennisetum in pots
The small to medium-sized varieties are well suited for planting in tubs. This means that the feather bristle grass can become an ornament on the balcony or terrace. A sufficiently large planter is important. It is of a minimum volume of ten to twenty litersto go out.
Since the volume of soil in the plant pot seems limited, it is important to ensure that the substrate is particularly rich in nutrients. The drainage already described should not be forgotten. Potted plants suffer far more often from waterlogging than is the case with bedding plants. However, watering must not be neglected. Potted plants dry out particularly quickly.
Overview of planting tips for the pennisetum
| Activity | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Select Location | • sunny • warm • bright |
| Prepare the ground | • fresh • nutritious • fluffy |
| planting | • Water plant • Insert drainage • Mulch soil |
Caring for Pennisetum Grass
Water Pennisetum
Watering is very important for heat-loving plants. Regular watering is particularly important in the first year after planting. Between April and August there is plenty of watering. In full sun, this can also be advisable several times a day.
Tip: The pennisetum gets about five liters of water per watering.
The soil is allowed to dry slightly between the individual watering processes. If the plants are well established, they become more robust and only need to be watered intensively during longer periods of drought.
The following factors influence the pouring amount:
- Temperature
- Location
- Plant Size
- Amount of precipitation
Tip: Pennisetum indicates a lack of moisture with yellow leaf tips.
Fertilize Pennisetum
The sweet grasses prefer nutrient-rich soil. This should be taken into account when planting. In spring, organic garden fertilizer provides the plant with all the nutrients it needs. You can also mix compost into the potting soil as a long-term fertiliser.
Tip: In the summer, a dose of bamboo fertilizer ensures a pretty coloring of the leaves.
After fertilization it is watered intensively. If the lamp cleaning grass is left to dry, damage to the roots can result. Container plants have an increased nutrient requirement and are preferably supplied with liquid balcony plant fertilizer.
Pruning Pennisetum
The hobby gardener should leave the pennisetum untouched during the autumn pruning work. The ornamental grass is cut in the spring. This is not only becausethat the curved stalks, covered with hoarfrost, make a pretty sight in the dreary conservatory. The overhanging stems also provide protection for the plant itself.
Tip: It is not uncommon for hedgehogs to overwinter under the curved stalks of bottle brush grass.
In the spring, the sweet grass is cut about a hand's breadth above the ground and soon sprout vigorously.
Care tips at a glance
| Activity | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Casting | • Water young plants plentifully • The soil must not dry out • Only water older plants if the drought persists |
| Fertilize | • Long-term fertilizer when planting • Bamboo fertilizer in summer • Water generously after fertilizing |
| Cut | • Pruning in spring • Straws are an ornament in the conservatory |
Pretty Pennisetum varieties at a glance
Pennisee grass comes in about 80 species. Some varieties have established themselves in our gardens:
Red pennisetum
The red pennisetum promises pretty contrasts in the bed. The intense red coloring of the culms stands out from the rest of the leafy green and is particularly attractive in company with white-flowered plants. This variety is best planted in beds or containers and is not hardy. - © Marc / stock.adobe.com
Pennisetum 'Hameln'
This pennisetum grows lush and compact. The growth height is about 70 centimeters. Flowering starts a little earlier than the other species. The flower spikes appear light green to white. This variety is particularly decorative when planted in groups. - © imageBROKER / stock.dobe.com
Pennisetum 'Little Bunny'
Little Bunny. This dwarf form is about 30 centimeters high and is an offshoot of the "Hameln" variety. - © Irina Fischer / stock.adobe.com
Pennisetum 'Cassian'
Cassian forms attractive arching culms and the ivory colored spikes of flowers appear in August. The flowers appear in large numbers and theAutumn coloring of this species is particularly striking. - © hcast / stock.adobe.com
Pennisetum 'Moudry'
This wide variety with its violet spikes originally comes from Japan. The plants spread luxuriantly, but in our latitudes they only flower in a mild climate. The hobby gardener should not lose patience, because the flowering period does not begin until the end of September. - © Marc / stock.adobe.com
Propagating Pennisetum
Most varieties can only be propagated by division. This should be done in spring. Young plants can be divided after two to three years. To do this, they are first taken out of the ground.
The root ball is freed from the substrate and checked. Division provides a good opportunity to remove dry or diseased root sections. The root ball is divided into several sections. The sections can then be transplanted again. This will give you full-fledged plants straight away.
Growing difficulties may occur with newly planted sections. If the plant is placed in a sunny spot and watered sufficiently, it should recover quickly.
Detecting diseases and pests on fountain pennise
The robust plant is hardly attacked by diseases or pests. The biggest problem for the sweet grasses is waterlogging. Once the roots start to rot, the lamppennise grass will rarely recover. The hobby gardener can avoid waterlogging by loosening the soil and installing drainage.
Overwinter Pennisetum
The commercially available varieties are mostly hardy. If a plant does not survive the winter, this is often a result of a winter stand that was too wet. Before winter, a layer of twigs or leaves can protect the soil from too much penetrating moisture and frost.
Ornamental grasses cultivated in tubs move to a bright and frost-free place in the house in winter and are placed outside again after the ice saints in May.