Pennisetum alopecuroides Windy Simonette - Chinese Fountain Grass

The Pennisetum Windy 'Simonette' is a new variety of grass with unique foliage, partially coloured purple-red, similar to some Panicum varieties. Probably derived from the Hameln cultivar, this selection offers a compact habit and early flowering that remains decorative for a long time, in the form of large silky and gracefully arched beige caterpillar-shaped flower heads. Perfect for planting in annual and perennial beds, rock gardens, or even a large container on the terrace!

The Pennisetum 'Simonette' is a grass of the Poaceae family with a non-invasive clump-forming habit. It is a hybrid resulting, among others, from Pennisetum alopecuroides, native to a large area of Northeast Asia and Australia. The 'Windy Simonette' grass forms a very dense clump, reaching a height and width of 50-60 cm (20-24in). It has very fine, slightly trailing green leaves with varying degrees of purple-red colouring. The flowering culms emerge from the vegetation in summer, bearing characteristic inflorescences composed of very silky spikelets arranged in feathery plumes 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6in) long. Their colour evolves from green-white to brown-beige in September-October, while the straw-yellow colour of the stems intensifies. The foliage also announces the arrival of autumn with a flourish, turning red in the sunlight. The plant remains decorative throughout part of the winter, covering the remnants of its vegetation with frost. It is perfectly cold-resistant (-15°C (5°F) at least) and thrives in neither wet nor dry soil.

This compact and colourful variety, Windy 'Simonette', will work wonders among late-flowering blue perennials and shrubs such as caryopteris and perovskias. This grass brings a touch of natural grace to any landscape. It can also be paired with more sprawling and lighter plants, such as yarrows, Verbena bonariensis, California poppies, or centaureas.
Pennisetum alopecuroides are a hardy type of grass that can withstand summer droughts quite well. They are ideal for bringing life and movement to flower beds, rock gardens, and walls. These grasses have a unique radiance that shines especially bright in low light and perfectly highlights all perspectives, even in the smallest gardens. If planted in a flower meadow or along a pathway, don't hesitate to touch them as their spikelets are as silky to the touch as they look. Additionally, Pennisetum is an excellent choice for reducing erosion due to its dense root system.