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Red Fountain Grass, Purple Fountain Grass
Pennisetum x advena 'Rubrum'

An attractive clumping grass with green-tinged red to fully red foliage. The coppery-pink to purple-red flower plumes rarely set seeds. Tends to die back and turn brown at least partially in the winter. For best look cut down to around 3" to 5" above the ground in winter or early spring--this will provide a full head of fresh growth for the year. Synonym: Pennisetum x advena 'Cupreum'. Be aware the generic species, Pennisetum setaceum, commonly known as Green Fountain Grass or Crimson Fountain Grass, reseeds quickly into the native environment. It, and all its cultivars, are a listed noxious weed and cannot be planted.

• Plant type: Ornamental Grass
• Maintenance level: Low
• Water requirement: Medium
• Sun exposure: Full, Part Sun
• Height range: 3–5 Feet
• Width range: 2–4 Feet
• Canopy value: 7.07 ft²
• Growth rate: Fast
• Seasonal habit: Semi-Evergreen
• Flower color: Pink, Red, Purple
• Flower season: Summer, Autumn
• Fruit color: Tan, Pink
• Fruit season: Autumn
• General foliage color: Red, Green
• Fall foliage color: Brown, Tan, Red
• Design style: Patio Plants
• Hardiness cold tolerance: 20-25
• Soil preference: Sand, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Well Drained
• Native location: Northern Africa
• PH preference: Not Particular
• Sunset zones: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
• USDA hardiness zone: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b

Plant characteristic definitions