Overview

Transform your garden or patio with the striking beauty of red fountain grass live plants. This offering includes two vibrant, well-rooted ornamental grass specimens, each standing approximately 4-7 inches tall, ready to bring a splash of deep burgundy color and graceful movement to your outdoor spaces. Known botanically as Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’, this popular ornamental grass is celebrated for its rich, wine-red foliage and its distinctive fountain-like, arching growth habit. It’s an excellent choice for adding texture, color, and dynamic appeal to various garden designs, whether as a focal point or a complementary element.

The allure of these red fountain grass live plants lies in their ability to create an immediate visual impact with their lush, colorful leaves and soft, feathery plumes that emerge in late summer and fall. These plants are grown as perennials in warmer climates (USDA zones 9-11) and as captivating annuals in cooler regions, providing versatility for gardeners across the US. Their relatively compact nature makes them suitable for diverse planting schemes, from mass plantings to mixed borders and container gardening.

Cultivating burgundy ornamental grass is a rewarding experience for both novice and experienced gardeners. Its robust nature and stunning appearance make it a favorite for those looking to introduce dramatic flair with minimal fuss. These young plants are carefully nurtured to ensure they arrive healthy and ready to establish quickly in your chosen location, promising a season of spectacular color and elegant form.

Key Benefits

These red fountain grass live plants offer numerous advantages, making them a superb addition to any garden or landscape:

• Dramatic Visual Appeal: The deep burgundy red foliage provides a stunning contrast to green plants and flowers, acting as an eye-catching focal point. Its arching form adds an element of elegance and sophistication to garden beds and containers.

• Versatile Landscaping: Ideal for a variety of uses, including border plantings, mass plantings, accent plants, or as a striking element in patio containers. Its adaptability allows for creative placement in diverse garden settings.

• Low Maintenance: This ornamental grass is remarkably easy to care for once established. It requires minimal pruning and is generally resistant to most pests and diseases, making it perfect for busy gardeners.

• Drought Tolerant: Once mature, burgundy ornamental grass exhibits good drought tolerance, reducing the need for frequent watering, especially in warmer climates. This makes it a water-wise choice for sustainable gardening.

• Seasonal Interest: Beyond its vibrant foliage, Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ produces soft, feathery flower plumes in late summer and fall, which add another layer of texture and movement to the garden, persisting well into winter.

• Attracts Wildlife: While not a primary pollinator plant, the movement of the plumes can add life and sound to the garden, and some small birds may use the seeds in fall and winter.

• Container Garden Excellence: Its relatively contained size and striking color make it an exceptional choice for container gardening, allowing you to easily move and arrange it to best suit your outdoor living spaces.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your red fountain grass live plants is straightforward, ensuring they thrive and display their full beauty. These ornamental grasses flourish in locations that receive ample sunlight. They prefer full sun exposure, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. While they can tolerate some partial shade, their foliage color will be most intense and their growth most robust in full sun. Ensure they are planted in an area where they won’t be overshadowed by larger plants or structures.

When it comes to watering, Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ prefers consistently moist soil when establishing, but once mature, it becomes quite drought-tolerant. Water deeply when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch, especially during hot, dry spells. Avoid overwatering, as overly wet conditions can lead to root rot. Well-draining soil is crucial for this plant’s health. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter like compost to improve drainage. A sandy loam or general-purpose potting mix works well for container-grown plants.

These deep burgundy foliage plants are perennial in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 and are typically grown as annuals in cooler climates. In perennial zones, cut back the spent foliage in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. For annuals, they can be removed after the first hard frost. Fertilization is not usually necessary for red fountain grass, especially if planted in fertile soil. If your soil is poor, a light application of a balanced granular fertilizer in spring can encourage healthy growth. Watch out for common garden pests, though red fountain grass is generally pest-resistant. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.

Size & Details

This offering provides a set of two robust red fountain grass live plants, each measuring approximately 4-7 inches tall upon arrival. These young plants are well-rooted and ready for immediate planting in your garden or preferred containers. With proper care, these ornamental grasses will quickly establish and mature. The mature height of red fountain grass typically ranges from 3 to 5 feet, with a spread of 2 to 3 feet, creating a substantial and impactful presence in the landscape. The graceful, arching form is maintained throughout its growing season.

The plants are shipped in a manner that protects their delicate root systems, ensuring they arrive in optimal condition for transplanting. While they are relatively fast-growing, they will take one full growing season to reach their mature size and develop their full complement of feathery plumes. When planting, allow adequate space for their mature spread to ensure proper air circulation and to prevent overcrowding. These plants are chosen for their vigor and ability to thrive, providing you with beautiful burgundy ornamental grass for your outdoor spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these red fountain grass live plants get? A: Once mature, these plants typically reach a height of 3-5 feet and can spread 2-3 feet wide. They develop a beautiful arching habit, creating a striking fountain-like appearance in your garden or containers.

• Q: What are the sunlight requirements for this deep burgundy foliage? A: For the best growth and most vibrant color, these ornamental grasses require full sun exposure, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. They can tolerate some partial shade, but the foliage color may be less intense.

• Q: Is this plant easy to care for, especially for beginners? A: Yes, red fountain grass live plants are considered very easy to care for and are an excellent choice for beginners. Once established, they are drought-tolerant and generally resistant to pests and diseases, requiring minimal attention.

• Q: What condition will the plants arrive in? A: Your plants will arrive well-rooted and approximately 4-7 inches tall, carefully packaged to ensure their health during transit. They will be ready for immediate planting upon arrival.

• Q: Can I grow this burgundy ornamental grass in a pot? A: Absolutely! Red fountain grass is an excellent choice for container gardening due to its manageable size and dramatic appearance. Ensure the pot has good drainage and is large enough to accommodate its mature size.

• Q: When is the best time to plant these ornamental grass for containers? A: The best time to plant is in spring after the last frost, or in early summer, allowing the plants ample time to establish before the heat of summer or the arrival of colder weather. Ensure the soil is warm enough for planting.

• Q: Will these plants survive winter in my climate? A: Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ is perennial in USDA zones 9-11. In cooler climates (zones 8 and below), it is typically grown as an annual and will not survive winter outdoors. You can enjoy its beauty for one season in these areas.

• Q: What kind of soil does red fountain grass prefer? A: This ornamental grass thrives in well-draining soil. It is adaptable to various soil types, but prefers a sandy loam. If you have heavy clay soil, amend it with organic matter to improve drainage.

• Q: Do these plants produce flowers? A: Yes, in late summer and fall, red fountain grass live plants produce attractive soft, bottle-brush-like plumes that are often reddish-purple or pinkish-brown, adding further ornamental value.

• Q: How often should I fertilize my red fountain grass? A: Generally, red fountain grass does not require heavy fertilization. If your soil is poor, a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring can be beneficial to support vigorous growth.