Monrovia : Learn

Popular, drought tolerant grass forms neat clumps of purplish maroon blades. Topped by rose red flower spikes summer through fall. Beautiful as landscape specimen or planted in groups. Provides quick annual color in any climate.  Perennial in warm climates. Full sun. Moderate growing 2 to 4 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide. Semi-evergreen. Division.

Performance and Requirements

Light needs: Full sun

Watering Needs: Once established, needs only occasional watering.

Pruning Time: No Value

Growth Rate: Moderate Growing

Growth Habit: Clumping

Design Information

Companion Plants

STRIPED BLOODY CRANESBILL
Geranium sanguineum 'Striatum'

PURPLE FOUNTAIN GRASS
Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'

CALIFORNIA PEPPER TREE
Schinus molle

TUSCAN BLUE ROSEMARY
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Tuscan Blue'

DWARF POMEGRANATE
Punica granatum 'Nana'

OTTO QUAST SPANISH LAVENDER
Lavandula stoechas 'Otto Quast'

SWEET BAY
Laurus nobilis

GRAHAM`S SAGE
Salvia grahamii (S. microphylla)

THORNLESS CHILEAN MESQUITE
Prosopis chilensis (Thornless)

RUSSIAN SAGE
Perovskia atriplicifolia

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Design Styles: This is without a doubt the most gorgeous Fountain Grass. Growing to four feet tall, its bronzed foliage is beautiful throughout the season, not just in autumn. It is indispensable for dry streambeds and a lovely fluffy accent in dry gardens. Provides wildlife habitat around water holes and ponds, and adds its billowy character to homegrown meadows. Makes a great erosion-control plant on slopes, both cut and fill. Equally at home in big Southwestern ceramic pots or classical Italian terra-cotta on posts and walls, or ganged around entries, steps and gateways. Try three or four matched potted specimens spaced evenly on steps or line them against a bare, light colored stucco wall.

Care Information

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. For a neat appearance, remove old foliage before new leaves emerge. Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring.

Background Information

Botanical Pronunciation: pen-i-SEE-tum se-TAY-see-um

Catalog Description: Popular, drought tolerant grass forms neat clumps of purplish maroon blades. Topped by rose red flower spikes summer through fall. Beautiful as landscape specimen or planted in groups. Provides quick annual color in any climate.  Perennial in warm climates. Full sun. Moderate growing 2 to 4 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide. Semi-evergreen. Division.