Pennisetum Prairie Winds® 'Lemon Squeeze'

Pennisetum Prairie Winds® 'Lemon Squeeze': Chartreuse Gold That Lights Up a Sunny Bed

Chartreuse-gold blades arching out like somebody squeezed a lemon over the whole border. 'Lemon Squeeze' is bright, zesty and A LITTLE TOO MUCH, IN THE BEST WAY.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Lemon Squeeze'
• Common Name: Fountain Grass
• Series: Prairie Winds®, a Proven Winners® perennial
• Height: 90–105 cm (3–3.5 ft)
• Spread: 120–135 cm (4–4.5 ft)
• Flowers: Copper to tan bottlebrush seedheads held above the foliage
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall (July to October)
• Foliage: Chartreuse-gold, arching blades that hold their colour in full sun
• Features: Good for cutting and drying

Where to Plant: It's wide, so give it room. It makes a bright focal point or a glowing edge along a sunny bed, and it's big enough to fill a large container on its own.

Companion Plants: Give 'Lemon Squeeze' a sunny, dry bed where its chartreuse blades set off red, gold and blue. Sedum 'Blue Spruce' edges the front at 10 to 25 cm with blue needle leaves and yellow flowers. Iris pumila 'Lady in Red' opens soft red dwarf iris at 30 cm in May and June. Asclepias 'Hello Yellow' adds golden milkweed at 45 to 60 cm from June to August. Achillea New Vintage™ Red brings deep red heads at 66 to 71 cm from June to September.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun for the brightest gold. It tolerates light shade, but the colour softens to green. Use average, well-drained soil and keep the crown out of wet spots, especially over winter. Water regularly the first season, then during long dry spells. Leave the foliage and seedheads up for winter. Cut back to about 8–12 cm (3–5 in) in early spring before new growth begins. Divide in spring if the clump gets crowded or hollow in the middle.

History: 'Lemon Squeeze' was bred by Walters Gardens in Zeeland, Michigan, and added to its Prairie Winds® collection of ornamental grasses, sold under the Proven Winners® brand. The species, Pennisetum alopecuroides, comes from eastern Asia and Australia and is named for its foxtail-like plumes.

Final Thoughts: Pair it with purple and the colour clash becomes a love story. Deer won't touch it. SQUEEZE ONE INTO THE CART.