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
Set yourself up for a scene of dreams with beguiling Pennisetum 'Fairy Tails'. This soothing fountain grass is truly enchanting with its gently waving tall stems topped with fluffy, silvery tail-like flowers. It's a naturally beautiful ornamental grass and works like a charm in a mixed planting scheme—flowers breaking out in summer with the captivating semi-translucency of a magical mist, and transforming a static display into one which whirls and wafts.
This half-hardy perennial ornamental grass is best suited to areas with mild winters and coastal gardens with sandy, free-draining soil. It’s most at home in a sunny border and copes well with dry conditions. Pennisetum orientale 'Fairy Tails' introduces a soft haze among colourful herbaceous perennials, and also combines beautifully with other ornamental grasses like Stipa gigantea or Miscanthus. Enjoy the flowers right through autumn, then cut it back for winter. When protected from harsh winter weather, each year Pennisetum 'Fairy Tails' will grow back and do it all again!
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 orientale 'Fairy Tails'
- Flower colour
- Silver, brown
- Established height
- 1-1.2m
- Established spread
- 70cm-1m
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Half hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant size
- 3/5
- Plant spacing
- 3 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
RHS Recommended
Perennial
Packed peat-free
Drought tolerant
Low maintenance
Attracts wildlife
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Pennisetum 'Fairy Tails' reviews
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