{"title":"Fountain Grass","description":"\u003ch2 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdd soft movement without taking over the garden.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFountain grass gets its name from the way the foliage arches outward from the center of the plant like water spilling from a fountain. That rounded shape makes it much softer than a rigid upright grass and especially easy to combine with flowering perennials and shrubs. Instead of creating a heavy visual block, the leaves and plumes move in the wind, giving a bed more texture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLittle Bunny is the best choice when space is tight. It generally stays around 12 to 18 inches tall and wide, making it one of the smallest fountain grasses available. Use it along the front of a border, beside stepping stones, around a patio, in a rock garden, or in a container where a larger ornamental grass would quickly become too much.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHameln moves into the middle of the size range. It usually reaches approximately 18 to 36 inches tall and 18 to 30 inches wide, developing a fuller, fountain-shaped mound. That makes it a strong choice for sunny foundations, perennial borders, low mass plantings, slopes, and repeated plantings along walks and driveways.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePurple Fountain Grass usually reaches around 2 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Its burgundy-purple foliage gives it a much stronger color presence than the green hardy fountain grasses. I especially like it in containers and mixed seasonal beds where the dark leaves can contrast with chartreuse, silver, orange, yellow, or bright pink plants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChoose cream plumes or dramatic purple foliage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLittle Bunny produces small cream-to-buff flower spikes in late summer into early fall. Because the plant stays so low, the plumes sit just above the foliage and look almost oversized compared with the compact mound beneath them. The effect is soft rather than flashy, which makes it easy to mix with sedum, coneflowers, asters, and compact shrubs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHameln produces larger pinkish-white to buff bottlebrush plumes from late summer into fall. It tends to bloom slightly earlier than many larger fountain grasses, which gives gardeners the classic Pennisetum look without waiting as long for the flowers. As the season progresses, both foliage and seed heads mature into warm tan and golden tones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePurple Fountain Grass is grown as much for its leaves as for its flowers. The foliage ranges from burgundy and reddish-purple to nearly black-purple, while arching purplish-pink plumes appear from summer into fall. The plant develops even richer bronze and copper tones as the season progresses.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe plume texture is useful beyond the landscape. Fountain grass seed heads can be cut for fresh or dried arrangements, and those left on the plant provide movement and texture well into fall. On hardy varieties, the dried foliage and seed heads can remain standing through winter before the entire clump is cut back in spring.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat gives the collection a much longer season of interest than a plant grown only for flowers. Fresh green or purple foliage carries the planting through summer, soft plumes take over later in the season, and dried stems continue providing texture after frost.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGive fountain grass plenty of sun.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFull sun is the best location for fountain grass. Six or more hours of direct sunlight helps produce compact growth, more abundant plumes, and stronger foliage color. Hameln and Little Bunny tolerate some part sun, but flowering can become lighter when plants receive too much shade.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePurple Fountain Grass also performs best in full sun. Strong light helps maintain the deep burgundy-purple leaf color and keeps the plant dense rather than stretched. It tolerates some light shade, particularly in very hot climates, but the richest color usually develops in sunnier sites.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese grasses are adaptable to a wide range of soils as long as drainage is reasonable. Hameln and Little Bunny can handle average garden soil and become drought tolerant once established. They also tolerate periods of additional moisture better than many ornamental grasses, making them useful on slopes, around rain-garden edges, and in beds where moisture levels fluctuate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpacing should follow the mature size. Little Bunny can usually be planted about 12 to 18 inches apart. Hameln generally needs around 2 to 3 feet between plants. Purple Fountain Grass benefits from approximately 2 to 3 feet of space so its arching foliage can develop without being crowded.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUse fountain grass in sunny perennial borders, foundation plantings, containers, rock gardens, slopes, mass plantings, patio beds, and along walkways. Hameln and Little Bunny are particularly effective when repeated in groups because the individual fountain-shaped clumps create a consistent rhythm through the planting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCut it back once and check your local rules.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFountain grasses are warm-season plants, so they may be relatively slow to emerge in spring. That is normal. The soil needs to warm before fresh shoots begin developing from the crown. Once temperatures rise, growth accelerates through summer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater regularly after planting until the root system is established. After the first season, Hameln, Little Bunny, and Purple Fountain Grass can tolerate dry periods better, although plants in containers will always need more frequent watering than those growing in the ground. Deep, occasional watering is generally better than constantly keeping established plants wet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFertilizer requirements are low. A light application of compost or a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring is usually enough. Too much nitrogen can create excessive leafy growth and reduce the compact, upright-to-arching form that makes fountain grass attractive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeave hardy fountain grasses standing through fall and winter if you enjoy the dried seed heads and tan foliage. Cut the old stems down to roughly 3 to 6 inches in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. This single annual cleanup is usually the biggest maintenance job.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePurple Fountain Grass needs different winter expectations. It is hardy only in warm climates and is generally treated as an annual or seasonal plant where winter temperatures fall below its hardiness range. In colder regions, do not assume that a Purple Fountain Grass planted in the landscape will return the following spring.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeer and rabbits generally avoid fountain grass, and serious pest and disease problems are uncommon. Good sun exposure and airflow help the plants maintain stronger stems and better flowering. Established plants also tolerate drought well, although prolonged severe dryness can reduce foliage quality and plume production.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"pennisetum-hameln","title":"Hameln Fountain Grass","description":"\u003ch2\u003eA Compact Ornamental Grass With Big Visual Impact\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHameln Fountain Grass is one of the best ornamental grasses for gardeners who want movement and texture without sacrificing too much space. Its naturally rounded habit forms a soft green mound that stays neat enough for front-of-border use, foundation beds, and smaller landscape spaces. When planted in groups, it creates a rhythmic, flowing effect that makes the whole garden feel more layered and intentional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat compact size is a big part of its value. Hameln gives you the graceful fountain-like look people love in ornamental grasses, but in a more manageable form than larger varieties. It fits beautifully in mixed perennial borders, along walkways, around patios, and even in containers where taller grasses might feel too coarse or oversized. For homeowners who want an ornamental grass that feels easy to place and easy to love, this one checks the right boxes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSoft Bottlebrush Plumes for Late-Season Beauty\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHameln Fountain Grass really comes into its own from late summer into fall, when soft bottlebrush flower spikes rise above the foliage and add a feathery, airy look to the planting. The plumes typically open pinkish-white to buff and persist well into the colder months, which extends the visual value long after many summer flowers have faded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis late-season bloom window makes Hameln especially useful in landscapes that need a second act. It pairs beautifully with fall-blooming perennials, evergreen shrubs, and broad-leaved plants that benefit from softer contrast. Even after the flowers dry, the seed heads and foliage continue to add winter interest, making this a plant that earns its space far beyond peak bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eEasy-Care Color, Texture, and Movement for Sunny Gardens\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHameln Fountain Grass is popular because it delivers a lot of style without demanding much maintenance. It thrives in full sun, prefers well-drained soil, and becomes notably more drought-tolerant once established. Its arching foliage stays attractive through the growing season, then shifts to warm golden and russet tones in fall for an extra layer of seasonal color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat combination of texture, motion, and color makes it especially useful in modern landscapes, cottage borders, and mass plantings where the goal is to create a natural, flowing look. Gardeners also appreciate that it is widely regarded as deer resistant and rabbit resistant, which adds to its practicality in exposed planting areas. For a grass that looks polished but still relaxed, Hameln is one of the easiest choices to work into a sunny design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Smart Choice for Borders, Mass Plantings, Slopes, and Containers\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHameln Fountain Grass is incredibly versatile in the landscape. It works beautifully in repeating drifts, mixed perennial beds, sunny borders, and large containers. Because it stays relatively compact, it can also be used where many grasses would feel too tall or too aggressive. In slopes and banks, its fibrous root system and clumping habit can help support erosion-conscious designs while still providing ornamental appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat flexibility gives gardeners a lot of value from one plant. Use it to edge a path, soften a retaining wall, repeat through a planting bed, or create a low-maintenance mass that still feels dynamic. Its compact, rounded habit, dependable bloom season, and strong fall presence make it one of the most useful ornamental grasses for homeowners who want a reliable landscape performer with a four-season personality.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden Goods Direct","offers":[{"title":"1 Gallon Pot \/ Single","offer_id":22670407303232,"sku":"00050","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 Gallon Pot \/ 3-Pack","offer_id":42814180491306,"sku":"00050X3PAK","price":82.51,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 Gallon Pot \/ Single","offer_id":39445064319018,"sku":"12768","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 Gallon Pot \/ Single","offer_id":22670407336000,"sku":"00052","price":59.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0212\/1030\/0480\/files\/fountain-grass-30518568222762.jpg?v=1695437174"},{"product_id":"purple-fountain-grass","title":"Purple Fountain Grass","description":"\u003cp\u003ePurple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum rubrum) is an attractive \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ornamental-grasses\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eornamental grass\u003c\/a\u003e that features dark burgundy-black foliage and purplish-pink flower spikes that last through the winter. Its green foliage is the perfect plant to use as a specimen or mass planting perennial. During the mid-summer to early fall, Purple Fountain Grass's stunning foliage will turn a bronze-copper shade and will continue to complement other surrounding plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePurple Fountain Grass does best when planted in full sun, nutrient-rich soil, and in an area where it has plenty of space to spread. Unlike the rest of its species, this plant does not reseed. In cooler regions, the plant is typically treated as an annual instead. This is important to consider before planting because the likelihood of its return each year in zones six and lower is minimal.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden Goods Direct","offers":[{"title":"1 Gallon Pot","offer_id":39352681005098,"sku":"01889","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0212\/1030\/0480\/files\/purple-fountain-grass-1183590859.jpg?v=1767990776"},{"product_id":"little-bunny-fountain-grass","title":"Pennisetum Little Bunny","description":"\u003ch2\u003eTiny Size, Big Texture For Edges And Small Gardens\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLittle Bunny Fountain Grass is the go-to choice when you want ornamental-grass texture, but you don’t have the space (or patience) for something that outgrows its welcome. This ultra-compact fountain grass forms a tidy, rounded mound that stays low and neat, making it ideal for edging a walkway, tucking into a tight border, or filling the front of a perennial bed without hiding everything behind it. It’s also a smart gap-filler around stepping stones, patio edges, and mailbox beds where you want soft texture without blocking views or spilling into paths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause it stays small, it’s incredibly easy to design with. Use it in repeated clusters to create a clean rhythm, or weave a few through a rock garden for gentle motion between stones. Little Bunny pairs beautifully with groundcovers like creeping phlox, sedums, and thyme, and it also complements compact shrubs by adding a fine-textured skirt at the base. It’s a clump-forming grass, so it stays where you plant it, keeps a crisp outline, and can be divided in spring if you ever want to expand the planting with divisions. It’s a low-maintenance way to add movement and a soft, fountain-like shape without committing to a tall grass that needs constant editing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFluffy Late-Summer Plumes That Add Movement And Soft “Bunny Tail” Charm\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLittle Bunny’s signature look shows up in late summer into early fall, when soft, bottlebrush plumes rise just above the foliage like tiny bunny tails. The plumes typically start creamy white to buff and age to a warm tan, giving you that late-season glow that makes ornamental grasses so addictive. Because the plant stays short, the flowers look extra charming and are perfectly scaled for small beds, miniature borders, and container arrangements. Full sun helps produce the fullest mounds and the best flower production, while light afternoon shade can help in very hot climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose plumes also bring movement. Even a light breeze makes the flower spikes sway, adding life to rock gardens, sunny slopes, and mixed perennial beds. After bloom, the seedheads often hold their shape into fall, extending the show well beyond the first flush and pairing beautifully with mums, asters, sedums, and fall color shrubs. If you love cutting stems for small vases or dried arrangements, you can snip a few plumes at peak color, then let the rest stay on the plant for texture and winter interest, especially when backlit by low autumn sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContainer-Friendly Mounds With Low-Maintenance, Waterwise Performance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’ve ever wanted an ornamental grass in a pot without the “whoa, this got huge” surprise, Little Bunny is your answer. Its compact mound fits naturally into patio containers, porch planters, and small courtyard beds, giving you fine texture that complements bold-leaf plants and flowering annuals. Use it as a soft filler around a thriller plant, or let it be the main feature in a minimalist container where movement is the whole point. Choose a pot with strong drainage holes and a quality potting mix that drains well so roots stay airy and avoid saucers that keep water sitting under the pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the garden, Little Bunny is dependable in well-drained soil with moderate water while it establishes, then it becomes more forgiving once rooted in. It’s often described as drought-tolerant when established, especially when mulched, making it a smart choice for sunny beds that dry out between waterings. Keep the care simple: water deeply, let the top soil dry slightly between soakings, and avoid constantly wet sites so the crown stays healthy. A light spring feeding (or a compost top-dress) is usually plenty to keep it looking fresh without pushing floppy growth. In colder zones, containers can be protected in an unheated garage or clustered near a sheltered wall for easier overwintering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFour-Season Interest With A Simple Cutback Routine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLittle Bunny doesn’t just bloom and quit—it delivers a full season of changing texture. In spring and early summer, you get a fresh, neat mound of narrow green blades that reads clean and modern. As the weather warms, the foliage arches slightly, creating that classic fountain shape on a miniature scale. Then, when the plumes arrive in late summer, the plant shifts from “nice edging” to “look at that,” adding soft highlights that catch evening light and pair beautifully with late-season flowers and warm-toned mulch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn fall, the foliage often takes on golden tones, and the seedheads can persist for added structure. That means your border doesn’t collapse into nothing when perennials start to fade; it keeps a little lift and movement. Maintenance is refreshingly simple: leave the foliage standing through winter if you like the texture, then cut it back to a few inches tall in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. As a clump-former, it stays contained and can be divided every few years if you want more plants for edging, containers, or mass plantings. As a warm-season grass, it typically greens up as temperatures rise, then hits its stride in summer and fall, right when many gardens need a texture boost. Leave the plumes standing for birds and winter silhouette, or cut earlier for a cleaner look.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden Goods Direct","offers":[{"title":"1 Gallon Pot","offer_id":39446753443882,"sku":"01410","price":32.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0212\/1030\/0480\/files\/pennisetum-little-bunny-30597308383274.jpg?v=1695437710"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0212\/1030\/0480\/collections\/pennisetum-hameln-fountain-grass.webp?v=1793902872","url":"https:\/\/gardengoodsdirect.com\/collections\/fountain-grass.oembed","provider":"Garden Goods Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}