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Need a truly short fountain grass

Posted by summerstar Z7VA (My Page) on
Sun, Apr 8, 12 at 20:22

Do you know of a truly short fountain grass? I'm looking for one 18-24 inches, not counting the plumes, that won't take up so much room in one of my perennial beds. I tried Little Bunny, but its plume stems stuck up like a spike hair cut and didn't have the graceful fountain-like grass I'm looking for.

Some advertise their "dwarf" fountain grasses as 1.5 to 2 feet tall like Cassian. I have it and it's definitely taller. I don't want it to overwhelm my perennials, but I'd sure like the nice soft look of a fountain grass mixed in. Maybe you know of one. Thanks for your help.


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Need a truly short fountain grass

Have you thought of Pennisetum 'Hameln'? My mom has this and it grows about 24" without plumes, and a bit taller with the plumes. Really is a nice grass.

Karen


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RE: Need a truly short fountain grass

  • Posted by mxk3 z5b/6 MI (My Page) on
    Mon, Apr 9, 12 at 9:33

The only one I'm aware of as being truly short is "Little Bunny", but you've already tried that, so there goes that.

Have you considered an alternative with grass-like foliage? Sedges are lovely and can take part-sun - "Ice Dance" is a particularly nice variegated cultivar. Liriope muscari is tough as nails and will grow in a variety of exposure. While these won't have the plumes of the grass, the will have a similar foliage effect (and Liriope does get small flower spikes in the late summer - purple or white).


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RE: Need a truly short fountain grass

'Piglet'!!! Bigger than 'Little Bunny' and more graceful but smaller than the rest of the genus. I have it and agree with the description given by Santa Rosa Gardens linked below. I have 'Little Bunny', 'Little Honey', 'Pennstripe', 'Karley Rose', orientale and another one whose name escapes me. I love ornamental grasses

Here is a link that might be useful: Piglet


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RE: Need a truly short fountain grass

Summerstar, I hope you don't mind me jumping in here, but I just wanted to thank you for asking the same question I had and thanks to everyone for the great/helpful information! I'm going to order both Karley Rose and Piglet. Can't wait to see them grow!

Happy gardening everyone!!


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RE: Need a truly short fountain grass

FYI 'Karley Rose' is a big'un. It grew 4' x 4' for me in partial sun. I've since moved it and replaced it with 'Pennstripe' which is half the size, so far...


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