Puppy Love Fountain Grass

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

2.5-3 Feet

Mature Spread

2.5-3 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 9

Add the element of movement and sound to your landscape with a handsome Fountain Grass that sways gracefully in every breeze. Place Puppy Love where the morning and evening light will show off the beautiful foliage of dark green with burgundy accents that turns bronze in autumn. Very showy, dusky-red plumes with chartreuse overtones bloom in early fall. The seed heads and foliage of this Pennisetum alopecuroides add both fall and winter interest. They provide contrast of texture with other perennials and shrubs. It grows to a height of 30-36 inches.

Puppy Love Fountain Grass has an upright growth habit. It has very few pest or disease problems and is considered to be deer resistant. It has some tolerance of urban pollution. As a busy gardener you will love this low-maintenance plant that is native to the meadows and open woods of Eastern Asia. Because of its moderate size it is better suited to residential landscapes than other grasses. Use it in the role of ‘filler’ or ‘thriller’ in a combination planter. Grow it alone, or in the center of the pot with smaller plants and ‘spillers’ around it. Use it in the border, in mass plantings, or as a specimen or focal point. It is lovely in cut-flower arrangements. When dried, its flowers are very decorative.

Puppy Love Fountain Grass Care

Puppy Love is happy in loamy soil with good drainage because it doesn’t like standing water. (Planting in raised beds will ensure good drainage.) Ordinary garden soil is adequate as long as it is moist. Plant with its crown slightly above ground level to prevent crown rot. Water during drought conditions, otherwise 1-inch of water per week from rain or irrigation. Drip irrigation is perfect for grasses. It needs little fertilization and grows in poorer soils better than many other plants. It likes an acidic or neutral pH.

Clean up the grass in early spring before new growth. Use hedge shears and wear gloves to cut it back. It will be easier if you tie the grass first.

Puppy Love Fountain Grass Spacing

Plant near lady’s mantle (Alchemilla molis) and purple cultivars of Heuchera. Space your Fountain Grass 30-36 inches apart.