UT Gardens July 2014 Plant of the
Month:
Pennisetum
Submitted
by Beth Willis, trials
coordinator for the UT Gardens, Knoxville
Pennisetum can refer to a number of different species of
ornamental grasses, all commonly referred to as fountain grass. Two that have
come to market in the last few years offer new and interesting characteristics
for gardeners, particularly for those who enjoy the annual burgundy fountain
grass.
First is ‘Fireworks’ – a showy, finely textured grass with variegated blades of
burgundy, pink, cream and green. It is an annual, but the Fireworks cultivar is
so attractive many believe it is worth replacing each year in the landscape. Fireworks
forms a clump that reaches 2 ½ to 3 feet in height, and it is topped with soft
bottle-brush plumes. It provides a lot of movement in the breeze. While it works
well in containers, Fireworks can be used as a specimen plant, and it is
striking when planted in mass.
The second Pennisetum that is relatively new to the
market and has very interesting characteristics is more accurately described as
a group of cultivars. They are hybrids of Pennisetum purpureum, an
African species of grass sometimes referred to as elephant grass. These
varieties are larger than other fountain grasses both in height and in blade
size. The cultivar that I am personally familiar with, Vertigo®, has
been grown in the UT Gardens in Knoxville and Jackson for the last three years.
Vertigo® is hardier than the smaller burgundy fountain grass, and
has overwintered every year except last year. Vertigo® develops into
substantial clumps reaching 5- to 6-feet tall, and each individual blade can be
as much as 2 inches wide. This gives it a bold, almost tropical feel in the
landscape. It does not produce plumes, so it will not reseed in your garden. It
retains its deep burgundy color throughout the summer. Other, similar cultivars
are on the market, including ‘Princess’ (2- to 3-feet tall), ‘Princess
Caroline’ (3- to 4-feet tall) and ‘Princess Molly’ (a dwarf cultivar that only reaches
14- to 20-inches tall).
All Pennisetum varieties like full sun and will provide a beautiful contrast to
your flowering plants.
Beth
Willis is the trials coordinator for the UT Gardens, Knoxville. Designated as the official botanical garden for the State of Tennessee, the UT
Gardens include plant collections located in Knoxville, Jackson and Crossville.
As part of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, their mission
is to foster appreciation, education and stewardship of plants through garden
displays, educational programs and research trials. The gardens are open during
all seasons and free to the public. For more information see the UT Gardens website.
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Contact:
Beth Willis, UT Gardens, Knoxville, ewillis2@utk.edu
Patricia
McDaniels, UTIA Marketing and Communications Services, 615-835-4570, pmcdaniels@tennessee.edu