Cayenne Sterile Fountain Grass

Ornamental grasses are outstanding design elements in a garden. Their foliage makes an excellent contrast with broadleaf plants and to the garden like no other plant. Unfortunately, many ornamental grass types have reputations as heavy self-seeders and are a bit more invasive than most gardeners want to deal with. Cayenne Fountain Grass is a sterile ornamental grass that only spreads from underground stolons, which are easy to keep under control. Pennisetum alopecuroides Cayenne™ has the longest blooming period of any Pennisetum and does not develop viable seeds. The mahogany-brown spikes grow 3-4 feet out from compact basal leaves and stay attractive throughout the winter.  rCayenne™ Fountain Grass blends into established wildlife gardens or works well as a zone 2 rain garden plant. Fountain Grass is a moderately fast grower that combines well with other perennials such as Rudbeckias, Salvias, Dahlias, and Anise Hyssop. Ornamental grasses are deer and rabbit resistant while being exceptionally gardener friendly. Maintenance is only required in early spring.rCayenne™ Fountain Grass CarerPlant ornamental grasses in a full sun site with well-draining soil throughout the year. Grasses are easily killed over the winter in cold, wet soil that does not drain. Pennisetum has a high tolerance for drought conditions after being established and will grow well in poor soil. Water newly planted grasses once a week with 1 inch of water. As plants mature, they need less supplemental watering. During exceptionally dry or hot summers, Cayenne™ Fountain Grass will require extra watering once a week. rPennisetum is an evergreen grass that needs to be cut back before the new growth starts in early spring. Cut the whole plant back to within 6 inches of the ground. Flower spikes can be cut during the growing season and make a lovely addition to floral arrangements. Dividing Pennisetum is best done in the early spring after the plants have been cut back. Plant the divisions as soon as possible to keep the roots from drying out.rCayenne™ Fountain Grass SpacingrCayenne™ Fountain Grass stays a compact 3 x 3-foot size that makes it easy to plant in existing gardens or use in a smaller garden or patio container. Plant Fountain Grasses 30 inches apart on center to fill in an area quickly. Container-grown plants need at least a 12-inch diameter pot.rrCayenne Sterile Fountain Grass InformationrrrrUSDA Hardiness Zones: 5 – 9rrrPlant Type: Ornamental GrassrrrLight Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)rrrMature Height: 30 – 36 InchesrrrMature Spread: 30 – 36 InchesrrrSpacing: 30 – 36 InchesrrrHabit: UprightrrrFlower Color(s): BrownrrrFlower Description: Brown Fading To Dark BrownrrrBloom Period: Mid To Late Summer Through FallrrrFoliage Type: HerbaceousrrrFoliage Color(s): Blue, GreenrrrFoliage Description: rrrSeasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, Fall Interest, 4 Season InterestrrrWatering: LowrrrResists: DeerrrrTolerates: Drought, SaltrrrAttracts: BirdsrrrContainer Role: rrrUses: Borders, Mass PlantingrrrFeatures: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Foliage Interest, Low MaintenancerrrBrand: WF, HPFYrrrCommon Name: Cayenne Sterile Fountain GrassrrrOther Name(s): rrrScientific Name: Pennisetum alopecuroides Cayenne™