The single flower
spike is 5-7 inches long. The bristles are long
and prominent with a scabrous texture. The
flower spikes resemble bottle brushes. Mature
flowers are reddish brown.
Midsummer
The leaves are 1/4
inches wide and 2-3 feet long. The culms are
slender and grow to 4 feet. The foliage is
bright green during the summer and turns to a
golden brown in the fall.
None serious
'Cassian' - 12 inch tall
foliage and flower stems to 24 inches tall.
Bright golden fall color.
'Hameln' Smaller than the species
with finer-textured foliage and smaller whitish
flower heads. It is 24 inches tall with an 18-24
inches width.
'Little Bunny' - Very short and suitable
for the rock garden.
P. caudatum - White Flowering
Fountain Grass. 4-5 feet
tall. Zones
6-9.
P. incompturn - Meadow Fountain
Grass. An
aggressive spreader that can quickly take over
an area. 3-4 feet tall. Zones
6-9.
P. orientale - Oriental Fountain
Grass. Pink inflorescences with a cottony
appearance. Zone 6 or 7.
Pennisetum is derived from
penna, a feather and seta, a bristle and
refers to the feathery bristles (awns).
