Groundcover & Vines – Tall – Cassian Dwarf Fountain Grass

Cassian Dwarf Fountain Grass 

Botanical name: pennisetum alopecuroides ‘cassian’s choice’ 

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: 2-3 ft in height and in spread 

Hardy zone: zones 5-9 

Growth rate: reaches fully mature size in 1-3 growing seasons

Foliage color: green 

Flower color: yellow/white 

Bloom time:  fall 

Pruning instructions: cut back to 1 ft above the soil line in the late winter/early spring before new growth begins to emerge 

Propagation methods: propagate by division during the spring season 

Landscape use: mass planting, background foliage, container plant 

Special features: dark foliage, unique blooms, tropical looking, heat tolerant, drought tolerant, disease resistant, salt tolerant 

Light needs: 4-6 hours of sun per day 

Watering instructions: allow the top 1-3 inches of soil to dry out between watering sessions 

Fertilizing instructions : fertilize with compost 

Best time to plant: spring, fall 

Best type of soil: loam 

Companion plants: coneflower, coreopsis, winterberry holly, prairie dropseed 

Toxicity level: non-toxic to humans and pets 

Invasive species: rarely but potentially invasive