Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Weserbergland')

Overview

Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Weserbergland’, a superb cultivar of Fountain grass, offers exceptional texture and movement to garden spaces. This warm-season, clump-forming grass is celebrated for its arching plumes that resemble water spraying from a fountain, lending a dynamic quality to borders and open areas from mid-summer into fall. Being low maintenance, the ‘Weserbergland’ variety maintains a pleasant, compact habit, typically reaching 1.5 to 2.5 feet high. Its reliable foliage transitions beautifully from green to golden hues in autumn, ensuring visual interest persists well into winter.

This particular selection of Fountain grass is known for being slightly more spreading than some other cultivars. While it thrives best in full sun, Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Weserbergland’ tolerates light shade, though flowering may be reduced in darker spots. It reliably produces its showy flower spikes, which emerge pinkish-white and mature to tan. Gardeners appreciate the toughness of this ornamental grass, which handles various soil moisture levels, provided it receives adequate water.

The appeal of Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Weserbergland’ lies in its balance of elegant texture and resilience, making it an indispensable modern landscape element. Its fine texture contrasts sharply with broad-leaved perennials, adding depth to mass plantings. Ensure correct placement based on its hardiness zones to maximize its low-maintenance performance throughout the seasons.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Poaceae
• Plant Type: Ornamental grass
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1.5-2.5 ft
  • Spread: 2-3 ft
• Bloom Time: July to October
• Bloom Description: Pinkish white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium to wet
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Planting Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Weserbergland’ should ideally occur in spring after the danger of frost has passed. This grass performs best when situated in average, well-draining soil, though it readily adapts to medium or even wet conditions. While it prefers full sun for the best flowering performance, it can succeed in partial shade. Ensure the site has adequate space, as this cultivar can develop a spreading habit.

For established clumps, watering needs are generally medium to wet when young, shifting to drought tolerant once the root system is fully developed. Fertilization is rarely required; this tough ornamental grass thrives without rich feeding. The primary maintenance task involves cutting back the entire foliage mass to the ground in late winter or very early spring, just before new growth commences.

Be mindful of its self-seeding potential, especially in optimum conditions, although cultivars generally do not come perfectly true from seed. If long-term containment or exact genetic consistency is required, spring division is the preferred method of propagation over seed starting. Gardeners in Zone 5 should site Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Weserbergland’ carefully, perhaps in a protected location, to ensure reliable winter survival.

Landscape Uses

The architectural structure and fine texture offered by Fountain grass make it an excellent choice for adding contrast in structural plantings. Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Weserbergland’ works beautifully as a specimen plant, drawing the eye to a specific point in the garden layout. Grouping several into a mass creates a soft, billowy screen or an effective replacement for traditional low hedges.

Its ability to tolerate moist areas opens up design possibilities near water features. Consider planting this ornamental grass along the banks of ponds or streams where its roots can access slightly wetter soil year-round. The foliage and persistent flower spikes provide excellent texture against broad-leaved shrubs or formal foundation plantings.

Furthermore, the erosion control benefits make Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Weserbergland’ valuable for stabilizing gentle slopes. Its graceful movement in the breeze complements neighboring flowering perennials, such as coneflowers or black-eyed Susans, creating complementary texture and color palettes.

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. It features narrow, medium to deep green leaves during summer, followed by golden yellow autumn color and beige winter tones. The distinguishing feature is the showy, silvery to pinkish-white, bristly flower spikes that arch outward, mimicking the spray of a fountain. The cultivar ‘Weserbergland’ is noted for being compact, typically growing 1.5 to 2.5 feet tall with a slightly wider spread, often exhibiting a more spreading habit than similar types.

Tolerances

• Drought
• Erosion
• Black Walnut
• Air Pollution

Potential Problems

This adaptable grass typically presents few serious insect or disease issues, contributing to its low maintenance rating. The primary concern when growing Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Weserbergland’ relates to its reproductive habits. It can self-seed aggressively in ideal settings, potentially leading to unwelcome spread in manicured garden areas. To manage this, deadhead the flower spikes before they shatter their seed, or ensure you are using divisions rather than seed to propagate new plants if you wish to maintain true cultivar traits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Fountain grass suitable for?

Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Weserbergland’ is generally hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9, though winter protection may benefit plants situated near the colder edge of Zone 5.

How large does Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Weserbergland’ grow?

This compact cultivar typically matures to a height between 1.5 and 2.5 feet tall, spreading outward to occupy an area 2 to 3 feet wide.

What sun exposure does Fountain grass need?

For the best overall performance and abundant bloom production, Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Weserbergland’ requires full sun, though it will tolerate partial shade environments.

When does Fountain grass bloom?

This ornamental grass provides extended interest, blooming reliably from July all the way through October, displaying attractive pinkish white plumes.

Conclusion

Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Weserbergland’ offers unmatched textural contrast and reliable, low-effort beauty throughout the growing season. Its fine foliage and characteristic pinkish-white plumes make this Fountain grass a centerpiece or an effective background element. Before planting, confirm that your USDA zone falls between 5 and 9 and that you can provide the required full sun exposure for the best results.

Design Ideas

When integrating Fountain grass into formal perennial borders, look for plants with coarse or large leaves that contrast well with the fine texture of the grass. Hostas, peonies, or large ornamental salvias provide the necessary visual heft to balance the delicate plumes of Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Weserbergland’. Positioning these plants nearby creates dynamic interplay as breezes move the airy spikes.

For modern, minimalist landscapes, group drifts of this ornamental grass together rather than mixing them widely. A mass planting of Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Weserbergland’ provides a soothing, monochromatic sweep of texture that acts as a living ground cover while maintaining significant vertical presence. This massing also helps in managing the spread, as the plants support each other.

Consider placing this grass where it catches the late afternoon light; the low angle of the sun enhances the golden fall foliage and illuminates the texture of the spent flower heads during early winter months. Its adaptability to moist conditions means it pairs well with moisture-loving plants like irises or astilbes near rain gardens.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Spring is the critical time for maintenance preparation, focusing primarily on clean-up. Before new green growth appears in early spring, use shears or a trimmer to cut all of the previous year’s dead foliage down to within a few inches of the ground. This rejuvenation encourages strong new shoots for the upcoming season.

During the active growing season—summer and early fall—the primary care involves ensuring adequate water, especially for newly planted specimens. Once established, Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Weserbergland’ handles dry spells well, but consistent moisture during peak heat will maximize foliage density and flowering. Deadheading spent plumes is optional but recommended if you wish to limit seed dispersal.

As autumn transitions into winter, the dried flower spikes and tawny foliage of the Fountain grass provide essential winter interest, so resist the urge to cut it back prematurely. In the coldest zones (Zone 5), ensure plants are well insulated by the surrounding dormant matrix or consider applying a thick layer of mulch around the crown after the ground freezes.