General Culture:
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun. Tolerates part shade, but may not flower in too much shade. Prefers sandy loams with good drainage. Drought tolerant. Cut foliage to the ground in late winter before new shoots appear. Species plants are only winter hardy to USDA Zone 6, however ‘Karley Rose’ is reportedly winter hardy to USDA Zone 5a, which encompasses the entire St. Louis metropolian area.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Pennisetum orientale is a warm season fountain grass that is native to Asia. It is an ornamental grass that typically forms graceful, spreading foliage clumps to 18” tall and as wide of narrow, gray-green leaves (to 1/4” wide). Showy, fluffy, pinkish-white flower spikes arch upward and outward from the foliage clump in late summer like water spraying from a fountain, hence the common name. Flower spikes rise well above the foliage to 2.5-3’ tall. Flower spikes persist over a very long bloom period from early June to August before eventually disintegrating. Foliage changes to yellowish-tan in fall, and usually remain attractive throughout the winter. ‘Karley Rose’ is a cultivar that, inter alia, is distinguished from the species by having (1) deeper green foliage, (2) darker, smoky rose-purple flower spikes that are larger and fuller, (3) longer bloom period extending into September and (4) better winter hardiness. U.S. Plant Patent #12,909 issued September 3, 2002.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses:
Specimen, group or mass. Foliage and attractive flower spikes of this ornamental grass provide excellent texture, color and contrast to borders, foundations and open areas.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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