Pennisetum Prairie Winds® 'Desert Plains'

Pennisetum Prairie Winds® 'Desert Plains': Fluffy Plumes and an Early Fall Blush

Smoky purple plumes, red-tipped blades by midsummer and a fall finish in red, orange and gold. 'Desert Plains' looks like a sunset that decided to put down roots. NO CACTUS. NO SAND. ALL VIBES.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Desert Plains'
• Common Name: Fountain Grass
• Series: Prairie Winds®, a Proven Winners® perennial
• Height: 90–120 cm (3–4 ft)
• Spread: 90–120 cm (3–4 ft)
• Flowers: Bottlebrush plumes about 13 cm (5 in) long that open smoky purple and age to tan
• Bloom Time: Late summer to fall (August to October)
• Foliage: Fine green blades with red tips from midsummer, turning red, orange and gold in fall
• Features: Good for cutting and drying

Where to Plant: It's big enough to serve as a focal point, a low screen or the backbone of a sunny border. Repeat it along a driveway or use it as the tall centrepiece in a large container. The plumes hold up in fresh or dried arrangements, so it earns a spot in a cut-flower bed too.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Desert Plains' in a sunny, dry bed where its red fall blades back coral, rose and white. Delosperma 'Jewel of Desert Rosequartz' carpets the front at 10 to 15 cm with rose-pink flowers from May to September. Sedum 'Touchdown Teak' adds dark leaves and rose-red flowers at about 38 cm in leaf in August and September. Echinacea Sombrero Poco™ Hot Coral brings coral coneflowers at 61 to 66 cm from July to September. Alcea 'Polarstar' rises at the back to 150 to 180 cm with white hollyhocks.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. It handles sandy and average soils but does not tolerate wet soil, especially in winter, so skip low spots and heavy clay that stays soggy. Water through its first season, then only in long dry spells. Leave the foliage and plumes standing over winter. They add structure and help protect the crown. Cut it back to about 8–12 cm (3–5 in) in early spring before new growth starts. Divide in spring if the centre opens up. In zone 5, give it a sheltered, sunny spot with excellent drainage to help it through winter.

History: 'Desert Plains' was found by Gary Trucks of Amber Wave Gardens in West Michigan as a seedling of the fountain grass 'Cassian', and introduced by Walters Gardens in its Prairie Winds® collection. The species name alopecuroides means foxtail-like, a nod to the fluffy plumes.

Final Thoughts: Cut the plumes for a dried bouquet, keep the clump for the fall fireworks. Deer pass right by. THE SUNSET STAYS ALL SEASON.