{"product_id":"pennstripe-fountain-grass-pennisetum-alopecuroides","title":"Pennstripe™ Fountain Grass - Pennisetum alopecuroides 'PAV300'","description":"\u003cp\u003ePennstripe Fountain Grass (\u003cem\u003ePennisetum alopecuroides\u003c\/em\u003e 'PAV300') is a compact variegated grass with feathery plumes, bred by Ozbreed and now listed by them as \u003cem\u003eCenchrus purpurascens\u003c\/em\u003e. It reaches about 450mm high and wide, around two fifths the size of the common form, and its striped leaves make a lively contrast to the soft plumes above them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProperly compact.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 450mm it stays in scale with borders and rockeries where a common fountain grass would swamp its neighbours.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStriped foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e The variegated leaf adds contrast to a bed of plain green or strappy plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot the weedy one.\u003c\/strong\u003e The native Australian plants have a much wider plume than the invasive African fountain grass, and this variety has not produced viable seed so far.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e It tolerates frost, humidity and drought.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot fussy about soil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sandy soils through to heavy clay suit it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 40cm apart, about six plants per square metre, for a soft, even sweep. Ozbreed's range is four to ten per square metre, so stretch the spacing to 50cm where budget matters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBorders and specimen planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Two to four plants per linear metre makes a continuous edge, while a single clump works as a specimen against paving, gravel or dark foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and roadsides.\u003c\/strong\u003e The compact size keeps it in proportion beside rocks, and it is used in commercial and residential plantings alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Pennstripe Fountain Grass in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade. Ozbreed lists it for every state and the ACT, and it tolerates frost, humidity and drought, so it suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and drier inland gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sandy to heavy clay. Plant into a well mulched bed, using chunky mulch if you can.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water as needed for the first 8 to 13 weeks, then let established plants manage. Apply a slow release fertiliser in late winter as growth restarts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is the one regular job. Trim the clump back to a third of its size each year in late autumn to winter, which clears the old foliage and plumes and makes room for fresh growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Pennstripe Fountain Grass in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Stock comes from Ozbreed's licensed growers and is grown to order at times, so a size can show as backorder. Order it and we confirm timing with you before anything ships. The 140mm plants are the economical choice for a large sweep, while the 200mm plants give border presence sooner. Grass travels well, and a flattened leaf lifts again within days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fountain-grass\"\u003eBrowse the full fountain grass range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ozbreed\"\u003eSee the full Ozbreed range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-and-strappy-leaf\"\u003eMore grasses and strappy leaf plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-natives\"\u003eMore Australian native plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs this the weedy fountain grass?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The weed is the African \u003cem\u003ePennisetum setaceum\u003c\/em\u003e, which has a narrow plume. Ozbreed lists Pennstripe with the native Australian species, which has a much wider plume, and so far it has not produced viable seed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy does it have two botanical names?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOzbreed now lists it as \u003cem\u003eCenchrus purpurascens\u003c\/em\u003e to help separate the native plant from the exotic weed. It is the same plant that was sold under the name \u003cem\u003ePennisetum alopecuroides\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen do I cut it back?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce a year, in late autumn to winter, to about a third of its size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10) (Backorder)","offer_id":67787115921727,"sku":"PEN-ALO-140MM-P10","price":206.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6) (Backorder)","offer_id":67787115954495,"sku":"PEN-ALO-200MM-P6","price":368.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/pennstripe-fountain-grass-pennisetum-alopecuroides.jpg?v=1792146172","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/pennstripe-fountain-grass-pennisetum-alopecuroides","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}