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Family: Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Pennisetum (pen-ih-SEE-tum) (Info) Species: orientale (or-ee-en-TAY-lee) (Info) Cultivar: Karley Rose Additional cultivar information: (PP12909) Hybridized by Skwiot; Year of Registration or Introduction: 1999
Hardiness: USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Sun Exposure: Full Sun Sun to Partial Shade
Danger: N/A
Bloom Color: Rose/Mauve Cream/Tan
Bloom Time: Late Summer/Early Fall Mid Fall
Foliage: Grown for foliage Herbaceous Chartreuse/Yellow
Other details: Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Soil pH requirements: 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic) 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information: Patented
Propagation Methods: By dividing the rootball From seed; sow indoors before last frost From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting: Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
This grass gets the most compliments when people pass by. It comes up reliably each year and keeps its form perfectly. It only lays down after a soaking rain but comes right back up when it has had a chance to dry off. It has been very tolerant of dry conditions, and being at the end of the driveway, has had no problem with road salt in the winter. The only maintenance is to cut it to the ground in March or April and then just wait for it to grow again!
On Oct 15, 2008, Meredith79 from Southeastern, NH (Zone 5b) wrote:
It is true that these flop in rain, however in full sun they pop right back up all on their own. That is, after the sun comes out and they have an hour or so to dry off a bit. I have some mixed in with some wildflowers in a partly shady area and they perform no where near as well as out on their own in full sun. I absolutely love them and they are one of my favorite plants I've ever grown. They start sending out their beautiful mauve seed heads in late June, before they are even half the size they will be by the time the first, killing frost comes. Mine are an inch or two shy of five feet and in their second growing season, they have grown to double the width they were originally. I have dry mesic soil and I added organic matter before planting. Now that they are established I only water them deeply, during dry spells. They have proven hardy through their first winter here. The lowest the temperature dropped to was -13 degrees F. We did however have very good snow cover, which is not always the case here. So far they have not disappointed me and I highly recommend them, if the right spot can be provided.
On Jun 17, 2007, weedwarden from Lincoln, IL wrote:
This is one of my favorite grasses, as it moves so gracefully in a breeze. It's one major drawback in my garden is that after a rain it flops badly. I have found, though, that by using a long garden stake to lift it and shake the water off, I can get it back upright again. This one is a "keeper" in my garden.
On Sep 28, 2003, phloxy_lady from West Portsmouth, OH (Zone 6a) wrote:
My vote is still out on this grass.
I love the plumes and the overall plant is attractive, at a distance. Upclose and personel, it is a "little" weedy(unruly) looking and tends to flop.
My plants are 2 years old. I have, now, relocated them, and will wait to see if the growing habits improve.
Like most grasses, they look wonderful, with the sun behind it.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
, Marietta, Georgia Herrin, Illinois Lincoln, Illinois Palmyra, Illinois Washington, Illinois Topsfield, Massachusetts Hudson, New Hampshire Boonton, New Jersey Raleigh, North Carolina Dalton, Ohio West Portsmouth, Ohio Milford, Pennsylvania Renfrew, Pennsylvania Memphis, Tennessee Iredell, Texas Missouri City, Texas
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