Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny'

Plant Family

Poaceae

Plant Botanical Name

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny'

Photo by: YODER BROTHERS

Plant Common Name

Fountaingrass, Little Bunny Fountaingrass

General Description

The small, compact habit of 'Little Bunny' makes this sweet fountaingrass a great selection for sunny summer borders. In spring, plants form neat, clumped mounds of pale to medium green, blades. From summer to fall, large feathery flower spikes of ivory arise from thin upright stems. Both its leaves and flowers turn a wheat color in autumn and persist through winter, but should be cut back in spring.

Fountaingrass is best grown in full sun and average, well drained soil. It looks best when planted in masses and mixes well with sedums, and late blooming salvias. Smaller cultivars like 'Little Bunny' work well for edging or as container plants. Its long-lived flower plumes make wonderful additions to fresh or dry arrangements.

Characteristics

• AHS Heat Zone

  9 - 5

• USDA Hardiness Zone

  5 - 9

• Sunset Zone

  3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

• Plant Type

  Grass

• Sun Exposure

  Full Sun, Partial Sun

• Height

  2"-18" / 5.1cm - 45.7cm

• Width

  2"-18" / 5.1cm - 45.7cm

• Bloom Time

  Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall

• Native To

  Eastern Asia, Australia

Growing Conditions

• Soil pH

  Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

• Soil Drainage

  Well Drained

• Soil type

  Clay, Loam, Sand

• Tolerances

  Drought

• Growth Rate

  Fast

• Water Requirements

  Drought Tolerant

• Habit

  Clump-Forming

• Seasonal Interest

  Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

• Flower Interest

  Showy

• Flower Color

  White, Green, Tan

• Fruit Color

  Tan, Sandy Brown, Ivory

• Foliage Color (Spring)

  Green, Light Green

• Foliage Color (Summer)

  Green, Light Green

• Foliage Color (Fall)

  Green, Light Green, Tan

• Foliage Color (Winter)

  Gold, Sandy Brown

• Fragrant Flowers

  No

• Fragrant Fruit

  No

• Fragrant Foliage

  No

• Bark or Stem Fragrant

  No

• Repeat Bloomer

  No

• Showy Fruit

  No

• Edible Fruit

  No

• Showy Foliage

  Yes

• Foliage Texture

  Medium

• Foliage Sheen

  Glossy

• Evergreen

  No

• Showy Bark

  No

Special Characteristics

• Usage

  Dried Flower / Everlasting, Container, Cutflower, Edging, Groundcover, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  No

• Invasive

  Sometimes

• Attracts

  Birds

• Self-Sowing

  No