- Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 30 - 36 Inches
- Mature Spread 30 - 36 Inches
- Growing Zones 5 - 9
Ornamental grasses are outstanding design elements in a garden. Their foliage makes an excellent contrast with broadleaf plants and to the garden like no other plant. Unfortunately, many ornamental grass types have reputations as heavy self-seeders and are a bit more invasive than most gardeners want to deal with. Cayenne Fountain Grass is a sterile ornamental grass that only spreads from underground stolons, which are easy to keep under control. Pennisetum alopecuroides Cayenne™ has the longest blooming period of any Pennisetum and does not develop viable seeds. The mahogany-brown spikes grow 3-4 feet out from compact basal leaves and stay attractive throughout the winter.
Cayenne™ Fountain Grass blends into established wildlife gardens or works well as a zone 2 rain garden plant. Fountain Grass is a moderately fast grower that combines well with other perennials such as Rudbeckias, Salvias, Dahlias, and Anise Hyssop. Ornamental grasses are deer and rabbit resistant while being exceptionally gardener friendly. Maintenance is only required in early spring.
Cayenne™ Fountain Grass Care
Plant ornamental grasses in a full sun site with well-draining soil throughout the year. Grasses are easily killed over the winter in cold, wet soil that does not drain. Pennisetum has a high tolerance for drought conditions after being established and will grow well in poor soil. Water newly planted grasses once a week with 1 inch of water. As plants mature, they need less supplemental watering. During exceptionally dry or hot summers, Cayenne™ Fountain Grass will require extra watering once a week.
Pennisetum is an evergreen grass that needs to be cut back before the new growth starts in early spring. Cut the whole plant back to within 6 inches of the ground. Flower spikes can be cut during the growing season and make a lovely addition to floral arrangements. Dividing Pennisetum is best done in the early spring after the plants have been cut back. Plant the divisions as soon as possible to keep the roots from drying out.
Cayenne™ Fountain Grass Spacing
Cayenne™ Fountain Grass stays a compact 3 x 3-foot size that makes it easy to plant in existing gardens or use in a smaller garden or patio container. Plant Fountain Grasses 30 inches apart on center to fill in an area quickly. Container-grown plants need at least a 12-inch diameter pot.
Cayenne Sterile Fountain Grass Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9 |
| Plant Type: Ornamental Grass |
| Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 30 - 36 Inches |
| Mature Spread: 30 - 36 Inches |
| Spacing: 30 - 36 Inches |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): Brown |
| Flower Description: Brown Fading To Dark Brown |
| Bloom Period: Mid To Late Summer Through Fall |
| Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
| Foliage Color(s): Blue, Green |
| Foliage Description: |
| Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, Fall Interest, 4 Season Interest |
| Watering: Low |
| Resists: Deer |
| Tolerates: Drought, Salt |
| Attracts: Birds |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Borders, Mass Planting |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance |
| Brand: WF, HPFY |
| Common Name: Cayenne Sterile Fountain Grass |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: Pennisetum alopecuroides Cayenne |
- SKU:
- 1231012959-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations