Fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Fireworks')
Pennisetum setaceum 'Fireworks' (Fountain grass) brings variegated foliage and showy burgundy plumes. Low maintenance perennial for Zones 9-10.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’ is an explosion of color and texture, making it a highly sought-after ornamental grass for modern landscapes. This cultivar, also known as Fountain grass, features striking, arching leaves variegated with stripes of burgundy, hot pink, green, and white. It stands out due to its graceful, vase-shaped habit, which is crowned by long, fluffy, burgundy-purple flower spikes from mid-summer until frost. Gardeners prize Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’ for its low maintenance requirements and dramatic seasonal impact, providing year-round visual interest in appropriate climates.
This rapid-growing, clump-forming grass performs best when situated where its cascading foliage can be fully appreciated. While technically hardy as a perennial in warmer regions, many gardeners treat this patented variety as a stunning annual for guaranteed seasonal color. Its overall appearance subtly evokes water spouting from a fountain, living up to its common name, Fountain grass.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Poaceae
- Plant Type: Ornamental grass
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-4 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: July to October
- Bloom Description: Burgundy purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’ in average, well-drained soil. Although it tolerates some part shade, these vibrant grasses achieve their deepest color and best performance when sited in full sun. In zones 9-10, treat the Fountain grass as a permanent perennial. If you are in a colder climate, install the plants after the danger of the last spring frost has passed, utilizing them as exciting annual features.
Consistent moisture is key, particularly throughout the active growing season. Provide medium watering to ensure healthy plume development. While staking is generally unnecessary if sited away from strong winds, ensure the clump is protected to maintain its elegant arching silhouette.
Gardeners in northern regions have over-wintering options; plants can be dug up in the fall, trimmed back, and kept cool and dry in sheltered areas or greenhouses. However, since Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’ is patented and does not set viable seed, most gardeners simply opt to purchase new, vibrant plants each spring to ensure the highest quality display.
Landscape Uses
The textural contrast offered by this ornamental grass makes it invaluable in diverse garden settings. The combination of variegated leaves and dark plumes provides excellent color and movement, ideal for softening hardscape edges or providing vertical accents. Use Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’ effectively in mass plantings to create ribbons of color, or as a sharp specimen plant near foundations or entryways.
Due to its manageable mature size of 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, Fountain grass works well tucked into mixed perennial borders where it can contrast spiky bloom forms and rounded shrubs. Its upright yet cascading form also makes it an ideal choice for large containers, especially when paired with bold-leaved tropicals or trailing annuals.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pennisetum setaceum is a tender perennial fountain grass that is native to Africa, southeast Asia and the Middle East. It is a rapid-growing, clump-forming grass that produces arching, linear, narrow green leaves to 3’ tall and late summer flower spikes that rise above the foliage to 4’ tall. Overall clump appearance is reminiscent of water spraying from a fountain, hence the common name. ‘Fireworks’, sometimes commonly called purple or red fountain grass, is an herbaceous, clump-forming, ornamental grass featuring upright culms and leaves that cascade in a vase-shaped form. The arching leaves are variegated with longitudinal stripes of burgundy, hot pink, green and white. Showy, fluffy, burgundy-purple flowers in bottlebrush-like spikes (to 12” long) bloom above the foliage clump and remain on the plant until frost.
Tolerances
- Black Walnut
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
Fountain grass, including the ‘Fireworks’ cultivar, is generally recognized for its robustness, presenting no serious insect or disease problems under standard garden conditions. This inherent resistance contributes significantly to the plant’s low-maintenance appeal. Proper siting—ensuring well-drained soil—is the primary preventative measure against any root or crown issues that overly wet conditions might encourage. Deadheading spent plumes is not necessary for health, but may be done purely for aesthetic preference late in the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Fountain grass suitable for?
Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’ is winter hardy in USDA Zones 9 through 10, where it can be grown as a reliable perennial.
How large does Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’ grow?
This ornamental grass typically reaches a mature height between 3 and 4 feet tall, with a spread of 2 to 3 feet wide, forming an attractive, cascading clump.
What sun exposure does Fountain grass need?
For the most vibrant variegation and best performance, this plant requires full sun, though it can tolerate slightly less light under part shade conditions.
When does Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’ bloom?
The showy, burgundy purple plumes of Fountain grass emerge in the landscape from July and continue well into October, often persisting until the first hard frost.
Conclusion
The variegated foliage and reliable, late-season plumes establish Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’ as a dynamic focal point in any garden design. Its low-maintenance profile ensures beauty without significant effort, whether you grow it as a perennial in Zones 9-10 or an annual feature. Before planting, confirm localized frost dates to maximize the enjoyment of this stunning Fountain grass throughout the growing season.
Companion Planting for Texture and Contrast
When designing a border featuring Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’, select companions that offer contrasting forms or colors to enhance its drama. Plants with solidity and mounding habits, such as Sedum varieties or low-growing Salvias, complement the airy, arching nature of the Fountain grass. Since this plant prefers consistent moisture, pair it with other medium-water-need perennials that thrive in full sun, preventing the need to dramatically alter watering schedules for different plants in the same bed.
Consider leveraging its purple tones. Companions with deep gold or bright chartreuse foliage, like certain Heuchera cultivars or golden Oregano, create an electrifying complementary contrast against the burgundy and pink stripes of the grass. This dynamic pairing ensures visual interest even when the Fountain grass is not actively blooming.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Caring for Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’ follows a simple yearly rhythm, especially when grown as an annual outside of USDA Zones 9-10. In early spring, wait until all danger of frost has passed before planting nursery-bought specimens; cut back any old, dead foliage right before new growth starts to emerge from the crown. Throughout summer, monitor water needs to ensure medium moisture levels; this is especially crucial during establishment or during periods of intense heat. As autumn transitions to winter, if growing in a perennial zone, cut the clump back severely once the foliage browns.
Container Growing Tips for Maximum Impact
Growing Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’ in containers is an excellent way to introduce its color and movement to patios or hardscaped areas. Choose a container that is at least 18 inches wide and deep to accommodate the root system and allow for healthy growth throughout the season. Due to the confined space, container plants will dry out faster than in-ground plants, so daily checks for moisture may be necessary during hot spells, overriding the general ‘Medium’ water needs classification slightly.
For best results in a pot, use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix amended with compost for slow-release nutrients. Since ‘Fireworks’ is patented and does not set seed, and because it needs reliable feeding when confined, plan to apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting time, followed by supplemental liquid feeding every 4-6 weeks to support the continuous production of those desirable flower spikes.
Design Application: Focal Point and Screening
The height of Pennisetum setaceum ‘Fireworks’ (up to 4 feet) allows it to function effectively as a soft, temporary screen or a mid-sized focal point in the landscape when massed together. Plant groups of three or five near the corner of a patio to create an immediate vertical element that sways gently in the breeze. Unlike dense shrubs, this grass allows light and views to filter through the foliage, preventing the area from feeling completely blocked off while still defining a space.
Use this grass for dynamic edge treatments along walkways where its cascading habit can spill slightly over the stone or pavement. The fine texture contrasts beautifully against coarse textures like rough bark or large-leafed hostas placed nearby, creating sophisticated layers that draw the eye across the garden composition.
