Red Riding Hood Fountain Grass

Red Riding Hood Fountain Grass (Pennisetum advena 'Red Riding Hood') is a compact, clumping grass with dark burgundy leaves and soft plumes in pinky red, which appear in spring and last into autumn. It grows to about 75cm tall and 75cm wide, a tidy size for borders, rockeries and large pots. Once it has settled in, it asks for very little.

Why you'll love it

• Colour for most of the year. The leaves hold a deep burgundy tone, and the plumes rise above them from spring through to autumn.
• Compact and tidy. At 75cm by 75cm it stays in scale with a small border, a rockery pocket or a big pot.
• Tough and undemanding. After the first few months it needs little more than a yearly cut back.
• Handles heat, humidity and wind. It keeps growing where softer ornamentals sulk, and it tolerates most soil conditions.
• Fast to fill out. A tube planted in the warmer months builds into a full clump quickly.

Where it works best

Borders and driveways. Plant 60cm apart for a continuous band of burgundy. The clumps touch as they mature and form a soft, flowing edge. Give each clump 75cm if you want them to read as separate features.

Rockeries, mounds and gentle banks. Set the clumps 60cm apart, where their dense growth helps hold soil in place and softens the hard edges of stone.

Pots and containers. The compact size suits a large pot in full sun, with the plumes arching over the rim. Use a good potting mix and a container with drainage holes.

Growing Red Riding Hood Fountain Grass in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with full sun giving the deepest leaf colour. It copes with heat, humidity and wind, so it suits subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and hot dry gardens. Protect it from frost. In cooler districts choose a sheltered spot and mulch over the crown in late autumn to look after the roots.

Soil. Almost any soil will do, but well drained ground gives the best result. Mulch after planting to hold moisture and keep the roots cool.

Water and feed. Water regularly for the first 12 weeks, until the plant is established. After that it is hardy and needs only the occasional deep drink in a long dry spell. A slow release fertiliser in spring is optional.

Pruning. Cut the whole clump back close to the base in late winter, before new growth starts. It reshoots fresh and burgundy for spring.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Red Riding Hood Fountain Grass as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Expect a small clump of burgundy leaves rather than a plant in full plume, because the plumes follow once it has settled into the garden. Plant it out soon after it arrives, water it in well and mulch around it.

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

• Ornamental grasses for Australian gardens
• Browse the fountain grass range
• More grasses and strappy leaf plants
• Rockery plants for dry, sunny spots

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Sixty centimetres apart gives a continuous border once the clumps knit together. Allow 75cm if you want each clump to stand alone, which is also the right spacing in a rockery.

When do I cut it back?

Late winter. Cut the old foliage close to the base and the clump pushes fresh burgundy growth for spring. Leaving it uncut makes the plant look tired and slows the new colour.

Does it need frost protection?

Yes, in colder districts. Plant it in a sheltered position and mulch over the crown in late autumn. In mild and warm gardens it needs no special care.