Reaching for the Sky: The Impressive Heights of Pennisetum Grasses

With their graceful arching foliage and softly fuzzy plumes, ornamental grasses add texture and movement to gardens. Pennisetum is a popular genus including many fountain grass cultivars known for impressive vertical form. But just how tall do these eye-catching plants grow?

Pennisetum offers a diverse range of sizes, from diminutive dwarfs to towering giants. Let’s explore the mature heights you can expect from different Pennisetum varieties.

Classifying Pennisetum by Size

Pennisetum encompasses over 140species of annual and perennial grasses. They originate from tropical and subtropical regions in Africa, Asia, Australia, and islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

While foliage color, plume shape, and other traits vary, one unifying feature is vertical form Pennisetum makes excellent vertical accents in garden beds and borders

Based on their mature size, common Pennisetum grasses can be grouped into categories:

• Dwarf varieties under 2 feet

• Medium varieties 2-4 feet

• Tall varieties over 4 feet

Selecting the right height for your needs and space can create pleasing design effects. Shorter varieties suit smaller gardens, while taller types make dramatic statements.

Petite Dwarf Species

For those with limited space dwarf Pennisetum varieties fit the bill. These compact grasses range from 6 inches to 2 feet at maturity. Try these petite options

• ‘Little Bunny’ – A fuzzy, bunny tail-like plume reaches 10-16 inches tall. Its compact form works well in containers.

• ‘Hameln’ – A dwarf fountain grass with arching foliage and fuzzy bottlebrush blooms under 2 feet tall. It has good cold hardiness.

• ‘Little Honey’ – Feathery plumes emerge chartreuse, mature to soft tan, and reach 1-1.5 feet tall. Adds bright color.

• ‘Moudry’ – Dark green, purple-tinted foliage forms a 1-2 foot clump. Bottlebrush plumes emerge deep purple.

• ‘Red Riding Hood’ – Only reaches 1 foot tall but offers vivid red foliage. Plumes open pinkish and mature to silver.

Mid-Size Varieties

The medium-height Pennisetum varieties range from 2 to 4 feet at maturity. These offer substantial vertical form while remaining scale-appropriate for most gardens. Some top medium performers are:

• ‘Karley Rose’ – Rose-purple plumes rise above green foliage. Grows 2-3 feet tall and wide.

• ‘Fireworks’ – Green and white striped leaves complement the pink-changing-to-silver plumes. Hits 3 feet tall.

• ‘Rubrum’ – Purple fountain grass beloved for its deep burgundy foliage and fuzzy purple blooms. Grows 2-4 feet.

• ‘Cassian’ – Dusty rose plumes top sturdy green foliage on plants reaching 3 feet tall.

• ‘Piglet’ – A compact grower topping out around 2.5 feet tall. Offers subtle light pink blooms.

Towering Tall Varieties

For majestic vertical accents, choose one of the many tall Pennisetum varieties that mature over 4 feet. These make excellent screens and backdrops for shorter plants:

• ‘Prince’ – Narrow green leaves produce creamy bottlebrush plumes on plants over 5 feet tall.

• ‘Princess’ – Pink-tinged blooms rise nearly 5 feet above wide, arching leaves. Stunning when backlit.

• Orientale – Reaches 4-5 feet with bushy green foliage and fluffy pink blooms. Fast growth rate.

• Macrophyllum – Big, wide leaves form large clumps with barely-pink plumes soaring to 6 feet.

• Villosum – A fast spreader with feathery foliage growing over 5 feet tall. Produces fluffy, silvery plumes.

Achieving the Desired Height

With proper selection and care, Pennisetum grasses will achieve their expected mature heights to bring vertical drama to gardens. Ensure the plants get ample sun, consistent moisture, and yearly trimming. Staking tall varieties helps keep them standing straight and tall.

For shorter heights, cut back plumes after blooming and divide clumps every few years. Potted specimens can be trimmed smaller. With so many statuesque options, Pennisetum offers a fountain grass for every vertical garden need!