Purple Fountain Grass Live Plant – Set of 3 Ornamental Grasses 5-8″ Tall

Overview

Introduce a touch of elegance and vibrant color to your garden with our purple fountain grass live plant set. This stunning ornamental grass, scientifically known as Pennisetum x advena ‘Rubrum’, is cherished for its graceful, arching burgundy leaves and soft, purplish flower spikes that emerge from early summer until the first frost. Each set includes 3 well-rooted starter plants, typically 5-8 inches tall, ready to establish quickly in your landscape. Ideal for adding dynamic movement and rich texture, purple fountain grass live plant thrives in sunny locations and offers a low-maintenance solution for gardeners seeking both beauty and resilience.

Whether you’re looking to create a striking focal point, fill in perennial beds, or add drama to decorative urns, this plant is a versatile choice. Its fast-growing nature and distinctive color make it a favorite among those familiar with ornamental grass care. Enjoy a season-long display of its unique garnet hues and feathery blooms that contrast beautifully with other garden greens, blues, and yellows.

Key Benefits

Our purple fountain grass live plant offers numerous advantages, making it a highly desirable addition to any garden or patio. Its aesthetic appeal and robust nature contribute to a captivating and easy-to-manage landscape.

• Stunning Visual Impact: The deep burgundy foliage and purplish plumes provide continuous color and texture, creating a dramatic and elegant statement in any garden setting. It’s a true showstopper from summer through fall.
• Fast & Easy Growth: This ornamental grass grows quickly, establishing itself with minimal effort, making it an excellent choice for both experienced and novice gardeners. Its vigorous growth ensures a full, lush display.
• Versatile Landscaping Use: Perfect as a specimen plant, in sweeping masses, as a filler in perennial beds, or in decorative containers, offering flexibility in garden design. It adapts well to various roles in your landscape.
• Drought-Tolerant: Once established, drought tolerant grass varieties like purple fountain grass require less frequent watering, making it an eco-friendly and low-maintenance option for drier climates.
• Hardy & Resilient: Capable of surviving temperatures down to approximately 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it can be grown as a perennial in warmer zones or as a vibrant annual in colder regions. This hardy ornamental grass is built to withstand various conditions.
• Attracts Pollinators: While primarily grown for its foliage, the plumes can attract beneficial insects, adding to the biodiversity of your garden ecosystem.
• Deer Resistant: Generally not favored by deer, providing peace of mind for gardeners in areas prone to wildlife browsing.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your purple fountain grass live plant is relatively straightforward, ensuring a vibrant display throughout the growing season. Understanding its basic needs will help it thrive and reach its full potential.

For optimal growth, purple fountain grass prefers full sun exposure, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. While it can tolerate some light shade, consistent full sun will encourage the most intense burgundy coloration and abundant plume production. Plant these starter plants in spring, allowing them ample time to establish before the peak summer heat. When it comes to soil, this grass isn’t overly particular, but it performs best in well-draining soil. Avoid heavy, waterlogged conditions, which can lead to root rot. If your soil is dense, consider amending it with organic matter to improve drainage.

Watering is crucial during the establishment phase. Although it is considered a drought tolerant grass once mature, consistent moisture is vital for young plants. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, until the roots are well-developed. Once established, reduce watering frequency, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Fertilization is generally not heavily required; an application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring can boost growth. In USDA Zones 9-11, pennisetum setaceum rubrum can behave as a perennial. In these areas, cut back the foliage to about 4-6 inches in early spring before new growth emerges. In colder zones (USDA Zones 8 and below), it is typically grown as an annual, providing seasonal color before succumbing to hard frosts.

Size & Details

This offering includes a set of 3 purple fountain grass live plant starter plants. Each plant typically arrives 5-8 inches tall, shipped without a pot to ensure safe transit and readiness for immediate planting. These young plants are well-rooted and prepared for transplanting into your garden beds or containers. Expect a relatively fast growth rate, with plants quickly filling out to their mature size within a single growing season when provided with optimal conditions. Mature pennisetum setaceum rubrum can reach heights of 2-4 feet with a similar spread, creating an impressive architectural element in your landscape. The feathery plumes appear from early summer and remain attractive until frost, providing long-lasting visual interest. This hardy ornamental grass is a fantastic way to introduce dynamic color and texture without extensive care demands.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this purple fountain grass live plant get? A: This ornamental grass typically grows to a mature size of 2-4 feet tall and wide, creating a substantial and impactful presence in your garden within one growing season.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Purple fountain grass is primarily an outdoor plant, thriving in full sun in garden beds, borders, or large outdoor containers. While it can be overwintered indoors in very cold climates, it generally performs best outdoors.
• Q: How much sunlight does purple fountain grass need? A: For the best growth and most vibrant burgundy color, purple fountain grass requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It can tolerate some partial shade, but full sun is ideal.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, purple fountain grass is considered an easy-to-care-for plant. It’s relatively low-maintenance, especially once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all experience levels.
• Q: What condition will the plants arrive in? A: You will receive 3 well-rooted starter plants, typically 5-8 inches tall, shipped without pots to ensure they are ready for planting upon arrival. They are carefully packed to protect them during transit.
• Q: When is the best time to plant purple fountain grass? A: The best time to plant purple fountain grass live plant starters is in the spring after the last frost, allowing them ample time to establish before the summer heat.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Purple fountain grass is hardy down to approximately 20°F (USDA Zone 9). In zones 9-11, it can be grown as a perennial. In colder zones (8 and below), it is typically grown as an annual and will not survive winter outdoors.
• Q: Is pennisetum setaceum rubrum considered a drought tolerant grass? A: Yes, once established, pennisetum setaceum rubrum is quite drought-tolerant. However, consistent watering is important during its initial establishment period to promote strong root development.
• Q: Does this hardy ornamental grass attract pests? A: Purple fountain grass is generally pest-resistant. Its robust nature and attractive foliage typically deter common garden pests, contributing to its low-maintenance appeal.
• Q: Can I grow this ornamental grass care in containers? A: Absolutely! Purple fountain grass is an excellent choice for containers, especially larger pots, where its dramatic foliage and plumes can create a stunning focal point on patios or balconies.