Karley Rose Oriental Fountain Grass

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

3-3.5 Feet

Mature Spread

2-3 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 9

One of the prettiest medium size fountain grasses, Karley Rose looks great in any garden habitat you want to plant it in. It is especially appreciated when morning or evening sunlight shines on it from behind as the feathery fronds and seedheads seem to glow. Soft fuzzy pink plumes nod on the end of slender stems with dark green leaves, providing a soft background to bright colorful perennials or annuals. Karley Rose even looks great in a large patio container as an upright thriller companion for a wide selection of annuals.

Native to Asia as the Latin name indicates, P. orientale is one of the hardier grasses for cold winter regions in Zones 5-9. It is also one of the earliest to bloom, as well as being a fast grower once planted. There are many reasons to include Karley Rose in your garden this spring. Harsh winter region gardeners can enjoy Karley Rose as an annual where it will quickly grow to size instead of taking years to mature. Flowers arrive on the scene in late summer and last for several months, then persist as seed heads well into fall. Birds are attracted to their seed heads. This grass will generally not reseed itself, remaining tidy in the garden.

Karley Rose Oriental Fountain Grass Care

Pennisetum requires a well draining soil, but from there, it is an easy care perennial. Average to fertile soil is generally preferred, with an acidic to neutral pH range of 5.8 to 6.2. Water every week when first established, then only when natural rainfall is less than one inch per week. Karley Rose is drought tolerant once established. Coastal gardeners will appreciate its salt tolerance. Fertilization is generally not needed, but should you feel your soil is too poor, add a thin layer of well composted organic material. Karley Rose will flower best when planted in full sun.

Deadheading is not necessary and will not affect the production of flowers. Pruning is generally not needed. Remove any dead or yellowed stems or leaves down to the soil and cut clump down to a couple of inches in early spring before new growth emerges. In marginal cold winter areas, an application of a good quality mulch will help to protect the root zone. Mulching throughout the season also helps to reduce pressure from weeds, making this truly an easy to care for perennial.

Karley Rose Oriental Fountain Grass Spacing

Space your plants about 24 to 36 inches apart. This gives the plant the room to spread out. The footprint of your Karley Rose will be small, but it will grow to 40 inches tall and the top will fountain out to 36 inches wide, creating the waterfall look that is so sought after by gardeners. Whether you plant in masses as a beautiful landscape border, or as an accent plant in your garden bed or patio container, Karley Rose Oriental Fountain Grass is destined to become your favorite perennial grass in your garden this spring.