{"product_id":"red-riding-hood-fountain-grass-pennisetum-advena-red-riding-hood","title":"Red Riding Hood Fountain Grass - Pennisetum advena 'Red Riding Hood'","description":"\u003cp\u003eRed Riding Hood Fountain Grass (\u003cem\u003ePennisetum advena\u003c\/em\u003e '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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour for most of the year.\u003c\/strong\u003e The leaves hold a deep burgundy tone, and the plumes rise above them from spring through to autumn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact and tidy.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 75cm by 75cm it stays in scale with a small border, a rockery pocket or a big pot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTough and undemanding.\u003c\/strong\u003e After the first few months it needs little more than a yearly cut back.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandles heat, humidity and wind.\u003c\/strong\u003e It keeps growing where softer ornamentals sulk, and it tolerates most soil conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFast to fill out.\u003c\/strong\u003e A tube planted in the warmer months builds into a full clump quickly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBorders and driveways.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries, mounds and gentle banks.\u003c\/strong\u003e Set the clumps 60cm apart, where their dense growth helps hold soil in place and softens the hard edges of stone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and containers.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Red Riding Hood Fountain Grass in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Almost any soil will do, but well drained ground gives the best result. Mulch after planting to hold moisture and keep the roots cool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut the whole clump back close to the base in late winter, before new growth starts. It reshoots fresh and burgundy for spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe 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.\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=\"\/blogs\/blog\/ornamental-grasses-a-guide-to-lush-garden-design\"\u003eOrnamental grasses for Australian gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/fountain-grass\"\u003eBrowse the fountain grass 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\/rockery-plants\"\u003eRockery plants for dry, sunny spots\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSixty 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen do I cut it back?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLate 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need frost protection?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67789620609343,"sku":"PEN-ADV-REDRID-tube","price":20.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/red-riding-hood-fountain-grass-pennisetum-advena-red-riding-hood.jpg?v=1792191243","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/red-riding-hood-fountain-grass-pennisetum-advena-red-riding-hood","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}