Plant profile
Botanical name: Pennisetum alopecuroides
German name: Federborstengras
Family: Sweet grasses (Poaceae)
Flowering season: September - November
Flowers: Fringed
Foliage: Summer green, fall color
Growth habit: Umbrella-shaped
Soil: Sandy to loamy, moist
Origin: Near East and Australia
Detail of feather bristle grass
Feather bristle grass is one of the most popular plant elements in the garden. With its fluffy and dense panicle flowers and narrowly pointed foliage leaves, the colors of the ornamental grass transform in late summer and shine in full glory. The spikes go from reddish brown to silvery and the leaves, turn from dark green to golden. Thanks to the late flowering, the spike-like inflorescences still decorate the garden even in the frosty winter.
Feather bristle grass was originally native to the Near East and Australia. In the second half of the 20th century, the ornamental grass was introduced to Europe, where it enjoyed great popularity, thanks to its frost tolerance and high ornamental value.
Belonging to the family of sweet grasses, there are about 80 different species. Depending on the variety, some reach a height of growth of forty to eighty centimeters. The inflorescences reach ten to fifteen centimeters. Since the ornamental grass does not form runners, it does not multiply uncontrollably in the garden.
Pennisetum alopecuroides in garden design
The feather bristle grass prefers sunny and warm locations. If possible, waterlogging and compacted soils should be avoided, otherwise Pennisetum alopecuroides is undemanding and easy to care for. The time needed for care is very low. Only a pruning is recommended in the spring, before the plant sprouts new.
A guaranteed eye-catcher in the garden is the combination with other plants. For example, the ornamental grass can be well combined with roses, asters or coneflowers. In combination with plants that prefer the same location, but bloom earlier, the garden changes again and again during many months. As a solitary plant, the feather bristle grass also comes into its own very well, in a pot it provides for loosening up on the balcony, house entrance or terrace.
PARC'S references with Pennisetum alopecuroides
One of our references with the Pennisetum alopecuroides invite to inspire:
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