Pennisetum alopecuroïdes Lepage Gold - Chinese Fountain Grass

The Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Lepage Gold' was created at the Lepage nurseries in France. Its young golden leaves made it stand apart from other grasses with spikes. This compact variety offers prolonged and decorative summer flowering in the form of sparkling spikes that look like small brushes. Initially greenish, they turn beige as they mature. The plant is attractive from spring to autumn, forming a beautiful fountain of delicate foliage that can be easily incorporated in annual and perennial beds, rockeries or even large pots on terraces.

The Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Lepage Gold' is a perennial grass that belongs to the Poaceae family. Its ancestor is native to a wide area of Northeast Asia and Australia. This 'Lepage Gold' variety forms a clump with an open, tall, wide habit reaching 50-60 cm (20-24in). The foliage consists of thin, trailing yellow leaves that turn light green. The flowering culms appear from the vegetation in summer, bearing characteristic flower heads from July to September. The flower heads, composed of very silky spikelets, are gathered in exceptionally bright brushes that are 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6in) long. Their colour evolves from green-white to light brown-beige in September-October. As autumn arrives, the foliage colours itself in amber and gold, shining under the sun. The plant looks pretty all winter because its leaves and stems are covered in frost.

This 'Lepage Gold' grass is best planted among more opulent or stiffer perennials, such as tall sedums, dahlias or Perovskia, and it brings a touch of flexibility to any landscape. It can also be paired with cushion-shaped plants such as Heucheras lady's mantles or with more wandering and lighter plants like yarrows, Lychnis coronaria, Verbena bonariensis, gauras, etc.

Pennisetum alopecuroides is a type of grass that can resist summer drought and is ideal for adding movement to rockeries or walls. These grasses look beautiful in low light and add depth to any garden, regardless of size. They also have a soft texture, making them perfect for flower meadows or paths. Pennisetum's dense root system helps to limit erosion.