{"product_id":"purple-lea-fountain-grass-pennisetum-alopecuroides","title":"Purple Lea® Fountain Grass - Pennisetum alopecuroides 'PA400'","description":"\u003cp\u003ePurple Lea Fountain Grass (\u003cem\u003ePennisetum alopecuroides\u003c\/em\u003e 'PA400') is the native fountain grass to choose when you want the full sized plant and the showiest plume. It forms a rounded clump of arching green foliage about 80cm to 90cm tall and as wide, and from summer into autumn it carries feathery purple flower heads that stand out against the green. Bred by Ozbreed from the Australian species, it is frost and drought tolerant and not the invasive African fountain grass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePurple plumes.\u003c\/strong\u003e The flower heads are a true soft purple, wide and feathery, and they catch the low light of late afternoon.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA native, not a weed.\u003c\/strong\u003e It comes from the Australian species, with the much wider plume that sets it apart from the weedy exotic, and it is not invasive.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrost and drought tolerant.\u003c\/strong\u003e Listed for every state from Queensland to Tasmania, it takes the cold winters of the tablelands and the dry summers of the west.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAny soil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sandy to heavy clay, with no special preparation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne cut a year.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single trim in late autumn or winter is the whole maintenance programme.\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 60cm apart, between two and six plants per square metre, and the clumps merge into a flowing mass within two seasons. One to two plants per linear metre runs it along a border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccent and feature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Three or five clumps among low groundcovers or strappy leaf plants give height, movement and a purple haze from midsummer. It is as happy as a single specimen beside a gate or in a large pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and low maintenance gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e The arching habit softens boulders and dry stone walls, and once established it asks for nothing but the annual cut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Purple Lea Fountain Grass in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade, with the plumes heaviest in full sun. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi arid gardens in every state and the ACT.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sandy to heavy clay. Average drainage is enough.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water as needed for the first 8 to 13 weeks, then only through long dry spells. Chunky mulch, and a slow release fertiliser in late winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Trim the whole clump back to a third of its size each year in late autumn or winter, which removes the spent plumes and keeps the clump dense from the base. In warm wet districts (northern New South Wales and Queensland after a warm wet winter, boggy spots, over irrigated beds) it may regenerate from seed; remove the spent heads before they drop if you would rather it did not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Purple Lea Fountain Grass in 140mm pots in packs of 10. That is a well rooted young clump that roots away fast in warm soil and usually plumes the following summer. Grasses travel well, and a flattened leaf on arrival stands up again within days. Expect the full 80cm to 90cm by the end of the second growing season.\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 it invasive?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The invasive fountain grass is the African \u003cem\u003ePennisetum setaceum\u003c\/em\u003e, with a narrow plume. Purple Lea is bred from the Australian species and is not an invasive weed, though it can self seed in warm wet conditions if the heads are left to drop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen should I cut it back?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLate autumn or winter, once the plumes have faded, taking the clump to about a third of its size. Cutting in spring removes the new growth and delays the plumes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow tall is it in flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe clump sits at about 80cm to 90cm with the purple plumes carried at the top of it, so allow close to 1m of height in a border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67785360474431,"sku":"PEN-ALO-140MM-P10","price":181.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/purple-lea-fountain-grass-pennisetum-alopecuroides.jpg?v=1792128544","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/purple-lea-fountain-grass-pennisetum-alopecuroides","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}