Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
Out of season
Pennisetum
'Black Beauty'
black fountain grass
Happiness is a haze of fluffy flowers and Pennisetum 'Black Beauty' brings a bounty of it, combining contemporary style with buoyant fun. With flowers like sooty-looking kitten tails, this black fountain grass will introduce a playful movement to your planting scheme as its stems swish with carefree jollity in the breeze. Frizzy, grey-black flowers are produced on multiple stems once this plant is established, in late summer forming a misty cumulous like little thunderclouds. The display of Pennisetum 'Black Beauty' is airy and soft and this translucent, dim haze provides a contrasting texture and backdrop which will illuminate neighbouring flowers.
Fountain grass likes to be grown in areas with sandy, stony or poor, free-draining soil. Find a sunny spot for Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Black Beauty', either in pots, borders or a gravel area for best results. This perennial is really well suited to coastal gardens in areas where temperatures are unlikely to fall below around -5°C in winter. It’s not entirely winter hardy but it can tolerate some frost—in areas with colder winters you can grow Pennisetum 'Black Beauty' in pots and move them under cover during cold snaps in winter. Try combining this late summer flowering ornamental grass with something bright for contrast, such as Echinacea 'Evolution Colorific' or Verbena 'Lollipop'.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Black Beauty'
- Flower colour
- Black, grey
- Established height
- 30-50cm
- Established spread
- 30-50cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Half hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant size
- 3/5
- Plant spacing
- 5 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- No
- Position
-
Sheltered
Exposed - Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
-
Free draining
Dry - Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Loam-based compost
Multipurpose compost
Stony - Suitable for
-
Borders
Coastal gardens
Cottage gardens
Gravel gardens
Large containers
Low maintenance gardens
Cut flower gardens
Wildlife gardens - Sunlight
- Full sun
- Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 2-3 years
Good for cutting
Perennial
Packed peat-free
Drought tolerant
Low maintenance
Attracts wildlife
-20%
Paeonia 'Lemon Chiffon'
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Every bulb and plant is sourced, selected and prepared with an expert eye for their quality and garden performance.
