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Pennisetum villosum
feathertop
A deciduous, perennial grass with fine leaves that form a loosely tufted bunch in spring. The greeny-white, wheat-like...
9cm pot
£6.74
£8.99
available to order from summer
3 × 9cm pots
£18.00
£24.00
available to order from summer
6 × 9cm pots
£27.00
£36.00
available to order from summer
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Plant description
A deciduous, perennial grass with fine leaves that form a loosely tufted bunch in spring. The greeny-white, wheat-like flowers emerge from this clump in mid summer and these are the real stars of the show. They float like little clouds above the foliage, catching the breeze and bobbing about. Their fluffy texture will soften surrounding planting schemes and they look particularly good when the sun catches them from behind. A great plant for a sensory garden as you can't help but want to touch them. A native of North Eastern tropical Africa, they are not fully hardy and may not survive the winter in colder areas, so are often grown as an annual, but they will usually self seed.
Eventual height & spread
Flowering period
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Plant features
Position
Full sun
Rate of growth
Average
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness
Borderline hardy (will need protection in winter in colder areas)
How to care for Pennisetum villosum:
A generous layer of mulch in autumn will help keep the roots warmer in winter. Prune back the previous years growth each spring.
Please note:
This grass dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
GOES WELL WITH
Late ornamental grasses
Late-season grasses come into their own from September adding another element or two - movement and texture to your garden. Most are tall and graceful and most move and sway with a gossamer presence. As autumn continues the texture of the awns, be it soft
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