Prairie Winds® Lemon Squeeze Fountain Grass

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

3 Feet

Mature Spread

2-3 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 9

Ornamental grass is a great way to add texture and visual interest to a sunny spot. PRAIRIE WINDS® 'Lemon Squeeze' Pennisetum alopecuroides is a fountain grass that has bold chartreuse gold foliage. This plant is a 3 season grass, and during the spring and summer, the plant blooms and features loose clusters of copper-colored flowers or panicles. The flowers hover just above the grass and add more texture and color to a landscape.

This plant is native to eastern Asia but grows as a perennial in USDA zones 5 through 9. Pennisetum alopecuroides is typically used as a landscape planting, but it is also a great choice for borders or mass plantings; it makes an excellent focal point and can also grow in containers. The blooms make wonderful cut flowers and can be dried for long-term use. Pennisetum alopecuroides are beautiful, but they are also practical because they are deer-resistant and commonly used for erosion control.

Prairie Winds® Lemon Squeeze Fountain Grass Care

Plant Fountain Grass in an area that receives full sun. This plant has average water needs and prefers to dry out, so well-draining soil is necessary. The ideal soil will also have a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Pennisetum alopecuroides is not picky about the soil quality and can live in low-quality soil, but rich soil will help the plant thrive. This grass is not a heavy feeder, but feeding the plant a slow-release fertilizer in the spring will support healthy growth throughout the growing season.

Pennisetum alopecuroides do not require much maintenance and generally do not need to be pruned during the growing season. Dead or damaged growth can be removed at any time. Trim back all growth to about 6 inches in height during late fall or early spring. 

Prairie Winds® Lemon Squeeze Fountain Grass Spacing

Fountain Grass makes a beautiful addition to the back of a landscape bed or in a well-defined area since this plant maintains a relatively consistent footprint. This plant reaches 30 to 36 inches and needs 24 to 30 inches to spread out. Leave 24 to 30 inches around the root ball when planting to prevent overcrowding.