Description
Pennisetum –
There are about 120 rhizomatous or stoloniferous, clump forming, annual and perennial grasses, in the Poaceae family, in this genus. They occur in woodland and savanna in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate zones worldwide. They have flat, linear leaves, and are grown for their feathery, brush like panicles of clustered, oblong to lance shaped spikelets, borne in summer and autumn, which are useful for both fresh and dried arrangements. Grow in a mixed, herbaceous, or annual border, or rock garden. Some self seed readily and may become invasive in warmer areas.
Grow in preferably light, moderately fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Cut back dead top growth by early spring. Where not hardy, protect with a dry winter mulch. Divide in late spring or early summer.
Prone to rust, eye spot, and other leaf spots occur
P. villosum – P. longistylum – Feather Top – This loosely tufted, deciduous perennial grass, often grown as an annual is from the Mountains of Northeastern Africa and grows 2′ feet tall and wide. It produces upright or arching stems bearing flat or folded, narrowly linear, mid green leaves, to 6″ long, with long hairs just below the flower heads In late summer and early autumn it bears cylindrical to almost spherical, plume like panicles, to 4 ½” long, with soft, feathery pale green or white bristles, becoming purple when mature.
Zones 9-15
