Pennisetum 'Fairy Tails' (Fountain grass 'Fairy Tails')

Botanical name

Pennisetum 'Fairy Tails'

Other names

Fountain grass 'Fairy Tails', Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Fairy Tails', Chinese fountain grass 'Fairy Tails', Pennisetum compressum 'Fairy Tails'

Genus

Pennisetum Pennisetum

Variety or Cultivar

'Fairy Tails' _ 'Fairy Tails' is an upright, clump-forming, semi-evergreen perennial grass with flat, linear, pointed, grey-green leaves and, in summer, narrow, pendent panicles of pink-flushed, golden-brown spikelets.

Foliage

Semi evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming, Upright

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Colour

Flower

Yellow-brown, Flushed pink in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green in All seasons

General care

Pruning

Remove dead foliage and old flowered stems in spring.

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Pennisetum 'Fairy Tails' (Fountain grass 'Fairy Tails') will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m 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 'Fairy Tails' (Fountain grass 'Fairy Tails')

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/