{"product_id":"pennisetum-alopecuroides","title":"Pennisetum alopecuroides","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSwamp Foxtail Grass \/ Fountain Grass\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pennisetum alopecuroides\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Poaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e East Asia and Australia (China, Japan, Korea, eastern Australia)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deciduous ornamental grass (fully deciduous in Adelaide)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eA spectacular cool-season ornamental grass perfectly suited to Adelaide's Mediterranean climate, Pennisetum alopecuroides is treasured for its graceful arching green foliage and abundant bottlebrush-like plumes that appear from late summer through autumn. Soft, fluffy, cream to pale pink flower spikes emerge above the foliage, creating a stunning display that catches light beautifully and sways gracefully in the breeze. The foliage turns warm golden-tan to bronze tones in autumn before going fully dormant in winter, providing spectacular seasonal interest. Exceptionally hardy, drought-tolerant once established, and thriving in Adelaide's conditions, it excels in borders, mass plantings, feature pots, and naturalistic landscapes. Ideal for modern gardens, cottage borders, gravel gardens, or softening hard edges, Fountain Grass brings movement, texture and reliable seasonal drama to South Australian landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.6–1.0 m H × 0.6–1.0 m W (compact arching fountain form; flower plumes add additional 30–40 cm height)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30–50 cm per year in warm conditions (moderate to fast-growing in spring–summer)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Narrow, arching mid-green strappy leaves (30–60 cm long); deciduous—turns warm golden-tan to bronze in autumn before dying back completely in winter; strong regrowth in spring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Abundant soft, bottlebrush-like plumes (10–15 cm long) in cream to pale pink-purple tones on stems 30–40 cm above foliage; prolific display late summer–autumn (Feb–May in SA); highly ornamental\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not fragrant—plumes have a pleasant, tactile, velvety feel rather than scent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring fresh green regrowth → summer lush arching green foliage → late summer–autumn spectacular cream-pink plume display → autumn golden-tan foliage colour → winter dormancy (dormant clumps provide subtle structure)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plumes attract seed-eating birds (finches, sparrows); excellent habitat for beneficial insects; movement and density provide shelter for small garden fauna\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Exceptional drought tolerance once established; excellent heat tolerance; frost-hardy to -12°C (fully deciduous protects from frost damage); excellent wind tolerance; coastal-tolerant (second-line, sheltered positions); dislikes waterlogged soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mass planting: 2–3 plants per m² @ 50–70 cm spacing; Border spacing: 60–80 cm apart; Suitable for large containers (minimum 40 cm diameter)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-toxic to cats and dogs; plumes may be tempting for play but are harmless\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun (6–8+ hrs) for best growth, flowering and compact habit; tolerates very light part shade but flowering reduced\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-drained sandy, loamy or gravelly soils; tolerates Adelaide's alkaline soils; adapts to clay if drainage adequate; thrives in poor to moderately fertile soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep soak 2 times weekly for 8–12 weeks\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstablished:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; fortnightly in spring–autumn; minimal to no watering needed in winter dormancy; highly drought-tolerant once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low maintenance; cut back hard to ground level (5–10 cm) in late winter before new growth emerges; remove spent plumes if desired for tidiness (or leave for birds and winter interest); avoid over-fertilising (encourages lush foliage at expense of flowering); generally pest and disease-free\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15–25+ years; clumps improve with age\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal for Mediterranean and temperate South Australia—Adelaide plains, foothills, Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Mid North, Adelaide Hills; performs exceptionally well across all Adelaide conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Neutral to alkaline (pH 6.5–8.0); tolerates slightly acidic soils with good drainage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eArchitectural foliage and plumes for modern, Mediterranean, cottage or naturalistic plantings—creates movement and light-play with soft textural presence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMass planting for flowing, kinetic effect—plant in drifts for spectacular late summer–autumn plume display; golden autumn foliage creates warm seasonal transitions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSoftens hard edges along pathways, driveways, retaining walls and paving—arching habit and movement contrast beautifully with rigid structures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMixed borders with Salvias, Gaura, Catmint, Russian Sage and late-flowering perennials—plumes emerge as many plants finish, extending seasonal interest\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eFeature grass in large containers for alfresco areas, patios and courtyards—compact size suits containers; plumes provide summer–autumn focal point\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eFountain Grass delivers spectacular late summer–autumn plume displays when Adelaide gardens transition seasons—masses of soft cream-pink bottlebrush flowers create stunning movement and catch light beautifully. The compact arching form suits suburban gardens perfectly, while exceptional drought tolerance and frost-hardiness mean it thrives across Adelaide's varied conditions with minimal care. Golden-tan autumn foliage provides warm seasonal colour before winter dormancy, and spring regrowth is vigorous and reliable. Requires only one annual cutback in late winter, tolerates neglect once established, and brings graceful movement and texture year after year—this is low-maintenance ornamental grass perfection for South Australian landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"140mm Pot","offer_id":48859932623100,"sku":"PENN-ALOP-140MM","price":12.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/pennisetum-alopecuroides-swamp-foxtail-mountain-grass-140mm-flower-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1773723231","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/pennisetum-alopecuroides","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}