Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Head' (Chinese fountain grass 'Red Head')

Botanical name

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Head'

Other names

Chinese fountain grass 'Red Head', Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Redhead'

Genus

Pennisetum Pennisetum

Variety or Cultivar

'Red Head' _ 'Red Head' is an upright, clump-forming, deciduous, perennial grass with flat, linear, mid- to dark green leaves, turning yellow-brown in autumn, and, in summer, narrow, oblong panicles of flowers opening red, fading to purple, and then pale brown.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming, Upright

Colour

Flower

Red, Purple, Pale-brown in Summer

Foliage

Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Summer; Yellow-brown in Autumn

General care

Pruning

Remove dead foliage and old flowered stems in spring.

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Head' (Chinese fountain grass 'Red Head') will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.75m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, City, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Gravel, Low Maintenance, Planted in groups, Prairie planting, Rock

Cultivation

Plant in light, moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. May need winter protection in colder areas.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Tender in frost (H3), Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Head' (Chinese fountain grass 'Red Head')

Common pest name

Rice leaf nematode; Strawberry crimp disease nematode; White tip nematode; White tip nematode of rice

Scientific pest name

Aphelenchoides besseyi

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Damaging nematode affecting rice crops and strawberry production in warmer climates; could potentially present a threat to strawberry production and ornamental production in protected environments. But modern production practices seem to reduce likelihood of impacts. Pest is also regulated at EU level; which reduces likelihood of entry.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/