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 'Red Head' is one of the most beautiful forms of Pennisetum, or Chinese fountain grass. And, along with its sibling, P. 'Hameln', deserves a place in any garden. It’s a gorgeous, clump-forming grass with gracefully arching, narrow, deep green leaves. These turn gold in autumn, and then buff in winter.
Some people grow it just for its foliage—but there are flowers, too! Striking smoky, pink-red, bottlebrush-like flowers, resembling foxtails, are produced from mid- to late summer; Pennisetum 'Red Head' is one of the first of the ornamental grasses to bloom. In the autumn, these flowers turn brownish, and they stay in place for many months, lasting well throughout winter. But you can cut them; they make excellent cut flowers for fresh or dried arrangements.
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Head' is most impressive when planted en masse, but it’s also useful as a specimen accent plant, either in the garden border or in a patio pot.
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Head' is so highly regarded that the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has awarded it the coveted Award of Garden Merit.
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 'Red Head'
- Flower colour
- Red, pink, green
- Established height
- 70cm-1m
- 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
- 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
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Pennisetum 'Red Head' reviews
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