Pennisetum advena Rubrum - Purple Fountain Grass
Pennisetum advena Rubrum - Purple Fountain Grass
Pennisetum advena Rubrum - Purple Fountain Grass
Pennisetum advena Rubrum - Purple Fountain Grass
Pennisetum advena Rubrum - Purple Fountain Grass
Pennisetum advena Rubrum - Purple Fountain Grass
Cenchrus x cupreus Rubrum
Fountain Grass
The two Chinese fountain grasses arrived dry... I replanted them straight away, hoping that only the top growth was dead.
Anne, 16/12/2025
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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty
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We guarantee the quality of our plants for a full growing cycle, and will replace at our expense any plant that fails to recover under normal climatic and planting conditions.
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Description
Pennisetum x advena 'Rubrum' (syn. P. setaceum 'Rubrum'), also known as Purple Fountain Grass, is a perennial grass cultivated as an annual and appreciated for its colored foliage ranging from purple-red to chocolate. The intensity of this colouration will vary depending on the exposure: in full sun the foliage is very dark, almost black, while in partial shade it is red-purple. This variety brings an exotic and elegant touch to flowerbeds and is a popular choice for potted plants. It thrives in well-drained moist to dry soil, in full sun.
Pennisetum x advena 'Rubrum' is a rhizomatous perennial plant native to tropical Africa that cannot tolerate freezing temperatures and has very rapid growth. In temperate climates it reaches maturity in just a few months, making it suitable for cultivation as an annual. This grass forms a fountain of rough, ribbon-like foliage, reaching a height of 1m (3.3 ft) when in flower, with a width of 30 cm (11.8 in), displaying particularly rich colours. The flowering period is from July to October, longer if the autumn is mild. The gracefully arching spikes hang above the foliage, supported on stiff stems. They consist of tiny purple-pink spikelets, clustered in narrow panicles, 20 to 30 cm (11.8 in) long, with a feathery appearance and covered in long hairs. As they fade, they take on a more blond color.
Pennisetum x advena 'Rubrum' (syn. P. setaceum 'Rubrum') is the most well-known of the annual Pennisetums and continues to be a popular choice among professional and amateur gardeners. It is versatile, both in its exotic and elegant appearance as well as its ease of cultivation and frugality. It is perfectly adapted to salt spray and drought, making it useful in dry gardens, as well as in potted plants or rockeries. Plant it en masse along pathways or create romantic displays alongside autumn-flowering perennials such as asters, hardy chrysanthemums, and Japanese anemones.
Pennisetum advena Rubrum - Purple Fountain Grass in pictures
Flowering
Foliage
Plant habit
Botanical data
Cenchrus
x cupreus
Rubrum
Poaceae
Fountain Grass
Cultivar or hybrid
Planting and care
Plant your Pennisetum setaceum in a sunny location or possibly in partial shade. They need a light and well-drained soil, even if it is poor or limestone. They tolerate a rather dry soil once established. When grown in pots Pennisetum will need to be watered more regularly. Usually grown as annuals, they are actually delicate perennials. By bringing them indoors at the first frost, you can extend their flowering throughout autumn and winter. Outdoor cultivation is possible in warm coastal climates, with good mulching in winter. Prune lightly in March, or let the frost decorate their wonderful fountains crowned with faded flower spikes.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, etc.)
It will vary according to where you live:- In zones 9 to 10 (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), flowering will occur about 2 to 4 weeks earlier.
- In zones 6 to 7 (Germany, Poland, Slovenia, and lower mountainous regions), flowering will be delayed by 2 to 3 weeks.
- In zone 5 (Central Europe, Scandinavia), blooming will be delayed by 3 to 5 weeks.
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands).
It will vary according to where you live:
- In Mediterranean zones (Marseille, Madrid, Milan, etc.), autumn and winter are the best planting periods.
- In continental zones (Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, etc.), delay planting by 2 to 3 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 2 to 4 weeks in autumn.
- In mountainous regions (the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, etc.), it is best to plant in late spring (May-June) or late summer (August-September).
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
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