Pennisetum advena 'Fireworks' (PBR)
Chinese fountain grass
A native of North Eastern tropical Africa, this colourful ornamental grass bears upright to arching maroon leaves with lighter pink margins which are strongest in full sun. ‘Fireworks’ lives up to its name in summer when soft, long-bristled, similarly coloured spikelets appear, fading to brown in autumn. While it is a perennial, this Pennisetum is not fully hardy and may not survive the winter in colder areas, so grow it as an annual where it will usually self-seed.
How to care for Pennisetum advena Fireworks (PBR):
Comb through the plant in winter to remove dead foliage. Feed with a general purpose fertiliser during the growing season and if necessary, lift and divide over-large clumps in early spring. A generous layer of mulch in autumn will help keep the roots warmer in winter. Prune back the previous year's growth each spring.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
1.5m
Eventual spread:
1m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Borderline hardy (will need protection in winter in colder areas)
-
This grass dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
