Dwarf Purple Fountain Grass

Dwarf Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum advena) is a compact ornamental grass with warm burgundy-red foliage and fluffy cream-pink plumes. It forms a neat clump about 50cm tall and 30cm wide, small enough for pots and borders, and tough enough to shrug off heat, humidity and wind once established.

Why you'll love it

• Burgundy-red foliage. The dark, warm leaves add colour all year, with or without the flowers.
• Soft foxtail plumes. Fluffy cream and rosy plumes rise above the foliage and move in the slightest breeze.
• Compact. At 50cm by 30cm it is smaller than many fountain grasses and fits small beds and pots.
• Hardy and low maintenance. Once established it needs little attention, and it tolerates most soil conditions.
• Takes heat and wind. It withstands humidity, high temperatures and wind, and it grows fast.

Where it works best

Borders and rockeries. Plant 30cm apart to build a dense, flowing edge. The burgundy foliage stands out against green and silver plants.

Mass planting around shrubs. Plant it in drifts around larger shrubs, or along a driveway, where its low clumps bring colour and movement.

Containers. Its small, upright habit suits pots on patios and entries, either alone or with flowering plants. Use a free-draining potting mix and water regularly until the plant is established.

Growing Dwarf Purple Fountain Grass in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It withstands humidity, heat and wind, so it suits tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens. Protect it from frost, and in borderline areas mulch over the roots in late autumn.

Soil. Well-drained soil. It tolerates most soil conditions.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until it is established, usually around 12 weeks. After that it is hardy and low maintenance.

Pruning. Cut back in late winter to encourage new growth for spring. Like other fountain grasses it can seed in some districts, so snip off spent plumes if you garden next to bushland.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Dwarf Purple Fountain Grass as tube stock, in 140mm pots in packs of 10, in 200mm pots in packs of 6 and as single 300mm pots. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly and is the economical choice for mass planting. The larger pots give a border or container planting an instant clump. Plants travel upright and settle in quickly in warm weather.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our fountain grass range
• Ornamental grasses for Australian gardens
• Grasses and strappy leaf plants
• Plants for pots and containers

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 30cm apart for a dense mass planting. The clumps are about 30cm wide, so they touch and form a continuous flowing edge.

When do I cut it back?

Cut it back in late winter. That encourages fresh new growth for spring and keeps the clump tidy.

Can it handle frost?

Protect it from frost. In borderline climates, mulch over the roots in late autumn to protect them through winter. Heat, humidity and wind are not a problem once it is established, so frost is the main limit.