Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum')

A warm-season ornamental grass forming a neat, arching clump of deep burgundy-purple foliage, topped through the warmer months by soft, feathery plumes in pink to rose-red. Grown almost entirely for foliage colour and movement, it provides year-round structure in mixed borders, gravel gardens, and large containers. It is a sterile cultivar that rarely sets viable seed, and is propagated by division rather than from seed. Caution — Weed Status The parent species, Pennisetum setaceum (African fountain grass, now also known as Cenchrus setaceus), is a Category 3 restricted invasive plant under the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014 and must not be given away, sold, or released into the environment. 'Rubrum' is a sterile cultivar and is not the restricted species, but some local councils extend restrictions or discourage planting of sterile cultivars within their area. Check with your local council before planting, particularly if you are near bushland, waterways, or grassland reserves.