Biological Name:
Stipa purpurea (Purple-Feathergrass)
Natural Habitat:
Purple-Feathergrass: This plant is native to North and South America and grows in a variety of habitats, including fields, meadows, and along roadsides.
Description:
Purple-Feathergrass is a summer annual weed that is native to the Americas. It has thin wiry stems and leaves and the leaves are narrow and needle-like. The flowers are small and purple and they are followed by hairy seed pods.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is purple fountain grass a perennial or annual?
A: Purple Fountain Grass Plant Features It also has fuzzy-looking purple flowerheads in autumn. Purple fountain grass is a perennial in Zones 9 and 10, but is frequently grown as an annual in cold-winter Zones.
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Q: What do you do with purple fountain grass in the winter?
A: Keep the plants in a cool, not freezing, dark location with slightly moist soil. The goal is to keep the fountain grass dormant, not growing and not shriveling up, throughout the winter.
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Q: Do purple grasses come back every year?
A: But will Purple Fountain Grass return every year? Purple Fountain Grass is a tender perennial plant that will die back during the winter but can return and grow back during the spring.
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Q: What temperature is too cold for purple fountain grass?
A: This Purple fountain grass can survive mild winters, but is not ideal for winters where temperatures fall below 20 degrees.
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Q: Does fountain grass multiply?
A: These plants have a clumping habit and will spread via underground rhizomes. If you choose to divide your mature fountain grass plants to propagate new ones, wait until late winter or early spring. This will give your new plants enough time to become established before the summer heat becomes too intense.
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Q: Does purple fountain grass like sun or shade?
A: Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setacum ‘Rubrum’) is known for its arching stems of burgundy leaves. This heat-tolerant ornamental grass is suitable for partial sun to sunny spots and matures at 13-36″.”
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Q: Why is fountain grass considered invasive?
A: Fountain Grass readily moves in to wild areas and displaces the native plants that would otherwise provide habitat for the birds, butterflies, lizards, and multitude of other creatures that make their homes in this wonderful place we call California.
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Q: How do you keep purple fountain grass from falling over?
A: Wrap a strand of garden twine that matches the grass around the entire clump, about halfway up the stalks. Tie the twine loosely enough so that the grass can move naturally, but tightly enough so that the strands all stand up in one vertical clump.
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Q: Do you cut back purple fountain grass?
A: Fountain grass is a warm season grass that is dormant during the winter and begins growth after the coolest weather is past. You can trim the top any time from fall until growth resumes in the spring. I enjoy the dormant grass through the winter, so I delay until just before growth begins.
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Q: What do you do with purple fountain grass in the winter?
A: Keep the plants in a cool, not freezing, dark location with slightly moist soil. The goal is to keep the fountain grass dormant, not growing and not shriveling up, throughout the winter.
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Q: What happens if you don’t Cut back ornamental grasses?
A: If you don’t cut back your ornamental grasses, they not only might look untidy with depreciated foliage, but they also might spread their seeds in unwanted areas. Plus, fresh foliage in the spring might have a difficult time growing through the depreciated foliage.
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Q: Does fountain grass reseed itself?
A: It grows to about two to three feet tall and reseeds with ease. However, it does not usually grow true to seed. Plants are hardy in Zones 5 to 9.
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Q: How long will purple fountain grass last?
A: This plant is loved by many, making the wait to see if the plant will return after a cold winter a challenging one for some. But will Purple Fountain Grass return every year? Purple Fountain Grass is a tender perennial plant that will die back during the winter but can return and grow back during the spring.
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Q: Can you cover purple fountain grass in the winter?
A: The relatively wide and shallow roots of the grass are no match for freezing temperatures. Plants in cold zones should be dug up. You can put purple fountain grass in containers and bring them indoors where it’s warm. Dig out several inches (8 cm.)
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Q: Does purple fountain grass multiply?
A: You can propagate purple fountain grass through divisions or seeds. The plants may readily self-seed in the garden, but root division is a faster and more reliable propagation method. You should divide while the grass is in its growing season in the spring through the summer.
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Q: Is purple fountain grass fast growing?
A: Purple fountain grass is aptly named for the arcing spikes of nodding purplish flowers that gracefully spray out of its mass of long, slender, burgundy-colored leaves. It has a fast growth rate and is best planted in spring.
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Q: Can you keep purple fountain grass over winter?
A: Bringing Purple Fountain Grass Inside As long as there are no freezing temperatures and moderate light, the plant will survive winter. Gradually acclimate the plant to warmer conditions and higher light during spring by putting the pot outside for longer and longer periods over a week’s time.
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Q: What do you do with purple fountain grass in the winter?
A: Keep the plants in a cool, not freezing, dark location with slightly moist soil. The goal is to keep the fountain grass dormant, not growing and not shriveling up, throughout the winter. In mid March, move the plants to a warm sunny location to get them started growing.
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Q: Is purple fountain grass toxic to dogs?
A: Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum) can add a great deal of height to your flower gardens, are beautiful when they bloom, and are considered non-toxic to pets. Feel at ease with these in your yard!
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Q: When should purple fountain grass be planted?
A: Like most ornamental grasses, you can plant purple fountain grass around fall or spring. However, it’s recommended to plant it in spring to take advantage of the peak growing season. Given that mature plants can grow to about 5 feet tall and almost as wide, purple fountain grass needs plenty of space to breathe.
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Q: What makes fountain grass a problem?
A: Fountain Grass readily moves in to wild areas and displaces the native plants that would otherwise provide habitat for the birds, butterflies, lizards, and multitude of other creatures that make their homes in this wonderful place we call California.
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