Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Honey')

Overview

Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Honey’ is a diminutive cultivar of fountain grass, highly valued for its compact size and striking foliage variegation. This ornamental grass provides exceptional texture, featuring glossy leaves striped with white and green, contrasting nicely with its late-season blooms. It is a warm-season, clump-forming perennial perfect for adding fine texture to smaller garden spaces where larger fountain grass types might overwhelm the area.

This specific cultivar, Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Honey’, shines brightest when positioned where its variegated leaves catch the light. While it performs best in full sun, it tolerates partial shade gracefully, although flowering may be reduced in deeper shade. Its ability to handle various soil conditions, including wetness, makes it a versatile choice for many landscape situations.

Gardeners appreciate the minimal upkeep required by this fountain grass, which offers visual interest from late summer until winter dormancy. The creamy white flower spikes provide movement and softness, complementing both structured plantings and more naturalized designs. Incorporating Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Honey’ ensures year-round structure and low-maintenance beauty.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Poaceae
• Plant Type: Ornamental grass
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 0.5-1 ft
  • Spread: 0.5-1 ft
• Bloom Time: August to October
• Bloom Description: Creamy white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium to wet
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Plant Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Honey’ in spring or early fall after the danger of hard frost has passed. This fountain grass thrives in average soils, provided they are consistently moist, thriving especially well in medium to wet conditions. Ensure the location receives full sun for the best flowering performance, although it can tolerate part shade, which risks fewer blooms.

Watering requirements are medium once established, though it is notably drought-tolerant compared to many moisture-loving plants. It handles occasional dryness well, but regular moisture will keep the foliage looking its best. Fertilizing is rarely necessary; excessive richness can lead to flopping foliage rather than compact growth.

The most important care task for this ornamental grass occurs in late winter or very early spring before new growth begins. Cut all the old foliage down to the ground level. This practice allows space for the vibrant new variegated shoots of Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Honey’ to emerge cleanly.

Be aware that while cultivars like ‘Little Honey’ are generally stable, they do not come reliably true from seed if you collect kernels from garden specimens. Furthermore, gardeners in the cooler reaches of Zone 5 should site this plant in a protected area to ensure reliable winter hardiness.

Landscape Uses

The compact habit of Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Honey’ makes it ideal for edging borders or softening the foundations of structures. Its upright, arching form provides excellent vertical contrast against low, mounding perennials or broad-leafed shrubs. Because it tolerates wet soil, it is supremely suited for rain gardens where it can manage fluctuations in moisture levels effectively.

This fountain grass works beautifully when massed together to create a flowing tapestry of variegated texture, or used singly as a subtle specimen plant. Consider pairing it with companions that appreciate similar conditions, such as Iris or Canna lilies, which thrive near water garden peripheries or stream banks. The fine texture and persistent winter structure also make it valuable near hardscaping elements.

For erosion control, planting clumps closely along slopes that receive adequate moisture can stabilize the soil effectively. The movement created by the arching foliage, combined with the subtle bloom display, brings dynamic interest to any moist corner of the garden design.

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Pennisetum alopecuroides, commonly called fountain grass, is a warm season, clump-forming grass native to grassy hillsides, roadsides, and meadows in East Asia. Features narrow, medium to deep green leaves that change to golden yellow in fall and beige by late fall, often remaining attractive through winter. Showy, silvery to pinkish-white, bottle brush-like flower spikes arch outward from the clump in late summer, giving it the fountain grass common name. This specific cultivar, ‘Little Honey’, features an upright clump of arching, glossy, variegated green and white foliage typically growing only 6-12” tall, with its wheat-like flower spikes maturing to a gold-dust color.

Tolerances

• Drought
• Erosion
• Wet Soil
• Black Walnut
• Air Pollution

Potential Problems

This fountain grass generally exhibits great resilience with no serious insect or disease problems recorded. The primary management concern involves its tendency to self-seed. While the named cultivars usually do not come true from seed, in ideal growing environments, the plant may become slightly aggressive through volunteers, so site it where occasional clean-up is acceptable.

To manage proliferation, ensure spent flower heads are removed before they shatter seeds later in the fall, although this reduces winter visual interest. No routine pest monitoring or chemical application is typically required for healthy specimens of Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Honey’.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Fountain grass suitable for?

This Pennisetum alopecuroides cultivar performs reliably in USDA Zones 5 through 9. Gardeners must ensure placement is protected if planting near the colder Zone 5 boundary.

How large does Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Honey’ grow?

This is a notably compact variety, typically reaching mature heights and spreads between 0.5 to 1 foot tall and wide.

What sun exposure does Fountain grass need?

It performs best when given full sun, which promotes the densest clumping and most prolific flowering. It tolerates part shade but flowering may become sparse.

When does Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Honey’ bloom?

The creamy white, wheat-like flower spikes appear relatively late in the season, blooming from August well into October.

Conclusion

Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Honey’ is an exceptional choice for adding low-maintenance structure and bright, variegated foliage to the garden, especially appreciated near water features or in rain gardens. This dwarf fountain grass delivers significant visual impact for minimal effort throughout the growing season. Before planting, verify that your location falls within USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9 and plan for that essential late-winter pruning.

Companion Planting

When selecting neighbors for Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Honey’, focus on plants that share a preference for medium to wet soils and full sun. Heuchera varieties that tolerate moist roots make excellent textural companions near the front of a border, contrasting the fine blades of the fountain grass with broader leaves. For areas bordering ponds, consider moisture-loving perennials like Astilbe or Ligularia, provided the soil drainage is adequate for the grass during drier spells.

In dryer, sunnier spots where minimal supplemental water is provided after establishment, pair this ornamental grass with drought-tolerant companions such as Lavender or Sedum. This blending of companions emphasizes the grass’s adaptability, showcasing its performance across a spectrum of moisture levels typical in a mixed perennial bed.

Design Ideas

The variegated foliage readily breaks up larger swaths of solid green planting, making ‘Little Honey’ a valuable textural accent. Use it to illuminate dark corners of the garden when placed near brighter flowering species, making its white-streaked leaves pop. Because of its small stature, it serves perfectly as a border element along walkways where taller grasses would impede foot traffic or obscure views of shorter flowering annuals.

Consider using this dwarf fountain grass in contemporary container arrangements. Its defined, mounding shape acts as a durable “thriller” or “filler” component, providing architectural interest that persists long after summer annuals fade. Ensure containers used for Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Honey’ have excellent drainage, even though the plant appreciates moisture overall.