Pennisetum alopecuroides
| Pennisetum alopecuroides | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 5' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Pennisetum alopecuroides (common name: chinese fountain grass)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 3 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Cultivation: Requires a light well-drained soil in a sunny position[1]. Succeeds in dry soils and, once established, tolerates drought[2].
This species is only hardy in the mild areas of Britain[1]. Plants are growing well at Cambridge botanical gardens, which is certainly not one of the milder areas of the country[K]. There are many named varieties selected for their ornamental value[3].
Plants do not flower freely in Britain except in warm sunny autumns[4]. Older clumps are more shy of flowering than young clumps[4].
Range: E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat: Grassy places and waste ground in lowland all over Japan[5].
Edibility: Seed - cooked. It can be ground into a powder and used as a flour[6]. An emergency food, used when all else fails[7].
Usage: Plants form impenetrably dense clumps and when planted close together in drifts make an excellent ground cover[3]. They are best spaced about 45cm apart each way[4].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Grounds, Roger. Ornamental Grasses. Christopher Helm, 1989.
- ↑ Chatto, Beth. The Damp Garden. Dent, 1982.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.