Pennisetum 'Little Bunny'

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Bunny': A Miniature Fountain of Texture

Delightfully compact and full of charm, Pennisetum 'Little Bunny' is the smallest of the fountain grasses—perfect for edging, rock gardens, and containers. This tidy grass forms a dense, rounded mound of fine green blades, topped in late summer by petite, buff-coloured bottlebrush plumes that dance on the breeze. Its gentle form and soft texture bring movement and structure without overwhelming, while its golden fall colour extends the display into the cooler months.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 20–30 cm (in flower)
• Spread: 25–30 cm
• Flower Colour: Creamy buff maturing to tan
• Flowering Period: Late summer to fall
• Foliage: Fine, arching green blades; golden in fall
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil; tolerates light drought once established

Uses and Benefits: 'Little Bunny' is ideal for adding soft texture and tidy form to the front of borders, gravel gardens, and patio pots. Its small stature makes it a perfect choice for underplanting and repetition in tight spaces. Deer resistant and easy to maintain, this miniature fountain grass is proof that great things come in small packages.

Companion Plants: Pair Pennisetum 'Little Bunny' with Arabis caucasica 'Snow Cap' for a bright white spring carpet that echoes its neat, mounded form. Add Coreopsis grandiflora 'Baby Sun' for sunny golden blooms and cheerful contrast. Weave in Artemisia schmidtiana 'Silver Mound' for soft, silvery foliage that mirrors the grass’s delicate plumes and adds year-round refinement.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Water regularly during the first season; once established, it is lightly drought tolerant. Cut back to the ground in early spring before new growth emerges. Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigour and compact shape.

History: A naturally dwarf cultivar of Pennisetum alopecuroides, 'Little Bunny' was selected for its petite habit and reliable flowering. It’s become a favourite for small gardens and designers looking to scale down the impact of ornamental grasses without losing beauty or function.

Final Thoughts: Neat, graceful, and endlessly versatile, Pennisetum 'Little Bunny' offers the airy elegance of fountain grass in a charming, small-scale form—perfect for tucking texture into every corner of the garden.