Graceful Grasses® Vertigo® Purple Fountain Grass

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

4-8 Feet

Mature Spread

2-3 Feet

Growing Zones

8 to 11

This is an ornamental grass that rises to dizzying heights. Pennisetum ‘Vertigo’ is a tall, swaying, ornamental grass that will take your breath away. The blades of ‘Vertigo’ retain their black-purple color all season long ensuring that their color will make any container or focal point in the landscape a showstopper.

‘Vertigo’ requires water to establish the plant and occasional fertilizer. Once established it is a drought tolerant workhorse in the garden. ‘Vertigo’ is not bothered by insects and disease and deer resistant.

Graceful Grasses® Vertigo® Purple Fountain Grass Care

Plant it in a large container flanked with yellow, red or pink flowers that trail down the sides or use it in the landscape as a screen or the focal point in the garden. You can also harvest and dry the seed heads as they begin to open and use them in wreaths for the fall and winter holidays.

It is hardy from Zone 8a-11b. It is a warm season grass so if the temperatures get colder than 15 degrees F. then you can remove it then or in the spring. If growing in the perennial zones, cut it back in the fall or by mid to late spring since cold weather will cause the grass blades to turn brown. If you live in an area that is troubled by fires, you should cut it down as soon as it dries to prevent any problems.

Graceful Grasses® Vertigo® Purple Fountain Grass Spacing

This is a tall plant growing anywhere from 48-96 inches tall and 2-3 ft. wide. Space the plants out at least 24 - 36 inches, center on center. This will allow the mature plants to have enough air circulation to continue to be healthy.