Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Cassian's Choice')
Dwarf Fountain grass, Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Cassian's Choice', offers excellent texture, blooms Aug-Oct, and thrives in sun to part shade.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Cassian’s Choice’ is a highly valued cultivar of Fountain grass, prized for its compact, dwarf habit and outstanding display of blooms in late summer. This warm-season grass brings exceptional texture and movement to the landscape, transitioning from deep green foliage to attractive golden tones in the autumn. Gardeners appreciate its low maintenance requirements and adaptability across various soil conditions.
As a clump-forming ornamental grass, Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Cassian’s Choice’ matures into neat mounds that offer structure even after the flowering season concludes. The species originates from East Asia, frequently inhabiting open slopes and meadows, which contributes to its resilience in many garden settings. Planting this specimen ensures year-round visual interest, particularly when contrasting its arching plumes against bolder, broadleaf plants.
This specific variety, ‘Cassian’s Choice’, is selected for its manageable size, typically reaching about 2 to 2.5 feet tall and wide, making it more versatile than some of its larger cousins. Whether utilized as ground cover or as an elegant accent, this Fountain grass truly earns its common name with plumes that arch outward like spraying water.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Poaceae
- Plant Type: Ornamental grass
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-2.5 ft
- Spread: 2-2.5 ft
- Bloom Time: August to October
- Bloom Description: Whitish green with pink tinge
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal performance, plant Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Cassian’s Choice’ in spring after the threat of frost has passed, or in early fall. This Fountain grass performs best when situated in full sun, though it tolerates part shade; be aware that heavy shade may significantly reduce its bloom potential. It is easily established in average soils, provided they are medium to wet, demonstrating a high tolerance for moist conditions.
Watering should be consistent, especially during the first growing season while the root system establishes itself. Once established, this ornamental grass shows good drought tolerance, making it reliable during dry spells. Fertilizing is typically unnecessary, as excessive feeding can lead to weak, floppy growth instead of sturdy clumps.
The primary cultural requirement for this cultivar involves late winter cleanup. Plan to cut the entire foliage mass down to the ground just before new shoots begin to emerge in early spring. This hard prune encourages fresh, vigorous growth for the coming season. Note that while the species can self-seed, cultivars like ‘Cassian’s Choice’ may not come perfectly true from seed, and aggressive spreading should be managed if self-seeding occurs.
Landscape Uses
Fountain grass supplies outstanding texture, contrast, and color elevation across various garden styles. As both a component of ground cover schemes and a feature specimen, Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Cassian’s Choice’ anchors borders, softens foundation plantings, and provides excellent mass planting for textural impact. Its relatively compact size makes it suitable for even modest garden beds.
The plant’s preference for medium to wet soils opens up unique design opportunities near water features. Consider massing this Fountain grass around the peripheries of ponds, streams, or rain gardens, where it naturally integrates with moist soil conditions. Furthermore, its dense clumping habit and deep root structure make it highly effective when planted on slopes to minimize soil erosion.
Pairing this plant with broadleaf perennials or summer/fall blooming companions that prefer similar sun and moisture levels creates a richly layered tapestry. Its arching plumes provide a soft counterpoint to upright structures or rigid geometric designs.
Standout Features
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. Mature clumps will reach 2.5-5’ tall with an equal spread. Features narrow, medium to deep green leaves (to 1/2” wide) in summer, changing to golden yellow in fall and fading to beige in late fall. Showy, silvery to pinkish-white, bristly, bottle brush-like flower spikes arch outward from the clump in late summer like water spraying from a fountain. Specific epithet means “resembling Alopecurus”, a genus of grass commonly called foxtail grass; ‘Cassian’s Choice’ is a dwarf variety that exhibits excellent fall color.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Erosion
- Wet Soil
- Black Walnut
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
This ornamental grass generally experiences no serious insect or disease problems, signifying low susceptibility to common pests. The main cultural concern involves its reproductive mechanism; Pennisetum alopecuroides can self-seed aggressively under optimum growing conditions, which may require monitoring to prevent unwanted spread outside designated areas. Gardeners should also be mindful that this variety may not be reliably winter hardy across the entirety of Zone 5 and may require protection or better siting in cooler extremities of its range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Fountain grass suitable for?
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Cassian’s Choice’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9.
How large does Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Cassian’s Choice’ grow?
This dwarf variety typically achieves a mature height between 2 and 2.5 feet, with a spread of 2 to 2.5 feet.
What sun exposure does Fountain grass need?
It prefers full sun for the best flowering, but it can tolerate light to partial shade, although flowering may be diminished in darker areas.
When does Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Cassian’s Choice’ bloom?
This Fountain grass variety displays its signature plumes from August through October, offering whitish green flowers tinged with pink.
Conclusion
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Cassian’s Choice’ is an invaluable low-maintenance addition, supplying graceful texture and reliable late-season interest ideal for borders and wet areas. Ensure you check your USDA hardiness zone compatibility before planting this excellent cultivar of Fountain grass this spring or fall.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Cassian’s Choice’, focus on plants that share its requirement for full sun to part shade and medium to wet soil, especially in the growing season. Excellent partners include moisture-loving perennials such as Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica), Coneflowers (Echinacea), and various sedges (Carex species) that provide textural contrast without competing heavily for nutrients. Grouping it with late-blooming asters or Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium) ensures continuous color interest in the border from summer through fall.
Propagation Tips
While Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Cassian’s Choice’ is a cultivar and may not reliably produce true offspring from seed, established clumps can be easily propagated via division. The best time to divide this warm-season ornamental grass is in the early spring just as new growth is starting to emerge. Dig up the entire clump, use a sharp spade or knife to cut the root mass into several manageable sections—ensuring each division has a healthy root system and several emerging growing points—and replant immediately into prepared soil at the same depth.
