Pennisetum advena rubrum dwarf - 'Dwarf Purple Fountain Grass'
Pennisetum advena rubrum dwarf (Dwarf Purple Fountain Grass) Add year-round colour, texture and movement to your garden with Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum Dwarf', a compact ornamental grass prized for its rich burgundy-purple foliage and soft, feathery flower plumes. Forming a dense, rounded clump of gracefully arching leaves, this dwarf variety creates a striking feature in garden beds, borders, pots and modern landscapes without overwhelming smaller spaces. Throughout the warmer months, elegant smoky pink to purple flower spikes rise above the foliage, gently swaying in the breeze and adding softness and movement to the landscape. Its compact size, low maintenance requirements and bold foliage colour make it an excellent choice for adding contrast amongst green plants and tropical-style gardens. Position ‘Dwarf purple fountain grass’ thrives in full sun to part shade and performs best in well-drained, moderately fertile soils. It is highly adaptable to a wide range of soil types and is drought-tolerant once established, making it perfect for low-maintenance landscapes. Suitable for temperate, subtropical, and coastal climates. Growth This moderately fast-growing grass reaches a height of 40-80 cm with a spread of about 40–80 cm, forming a dense, rounded clump. Its graceful foliage and soft, silvery-pink flower spikes provide excellent movement and visual interest in the landscape. Planting Guide Pennisetum ‘rubrum dwarf’ grows best in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Plant spacing clumps about 50–70 cm apart for mass plantings or borders. For container planting, use a high-quality potting mix and place in a sunny position. Water thoroughly after planting, and apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Plant Care Water regularly during establishment, then only as needed, as ‘rubrum dwarf’ is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant. Trim back hard in late winter or early spring to encourage fresh growth. Feed with a slow-release, balanced fertiliser in spring to maintain healthy foliage and flowering. Mulching helps retain moisture and protect roots from temperature extremes. Pennisetum advena ‘Dwarf Purple Fountain Grass’ brings soft texture, structure, and movement to the garden with its graceful form and fluffy flower spikes. Non-invasive and easy to care for, it’s perfect for sustainable landscapes, mass plantings, or adding elegance to borders and mixed plantings year-round.