Hameln Fountain Grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'
Hameln Fountain Grass Quart Container, Ready to Plant
- Blooms the first year with creamy white to tan plumes through fall; foliage turns golden-russet
- Deer and rabbit resistant; needs only average water once established
- Compact 18-24 inch width perfect for borders, containers, and mass plantings
About this plant
Hameln is a compact warm-season ornamental grass that thrives in full sun. It produces creamy white to tan bottlebrush-like plumes from mid-summer through fall, with foliage that turns golden tan to russet in autumn. Highly deer and rabbit resistant, it works equally well in borders, mass plantings, mixed perennial beds, and low-maintenance landscapes.
This quart container plant arrives nursery-grown and ready to plant. Upon arrival, choose a location with full sun and well-drained soil. Plant within a few days, water thoroughly after planting, and maintain regular moisture while it establishes (typically 2-3 weeks). Blooms appear the first year, with the clump reaching full mature size within 2-3 growing seasons.
Hameln Fountain Grass at a glance
| Botanical name | Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' |
|---|---|
| Plant type | ornamental grass (herbaceous perennial, warm-season) |
| USDA zones | 5-9 |
| Mature height | 18-24 inches (foliage mound); 24-30 inches with bloom plumes |
| Mature width | 18-24 inches |
| Sun | full sun to light shade; best bloom and compact habit in full sun |
| Water | average, regular moisture until established, then moderate drought tolerance |
| Bloom time | mid to late summer through fall (roughly July-October, varies by region) |
| Bloom color | creamy white to tan/light pink bottlebrush-like plumes, aging to buff/tan |
| Growth rate | moderate, reaches mature clump size in about 2-3 growing seasons |
| Deer resistance | highly deer and rabbit resistant |
| Best planting time | spring after last frost, or early fall in mild climates |
Container sizes explained
| Quart / QT | A 4 inch pot, roughly one quart of soil. A young starter plant, the most economical way to buy several. |
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Questions before you buy
What does a quart size mean for a plant?
A quart container holds a nursery-grown plant with an established root system. This size allows the plant to reach blooms the first year after planting and mature into its full form within 2-3 growing seasons.
When should I plant this after it arrives?
Plant within a few days of arrival in a location with full sun and well-drained soil. Water thoroughly after planting and keep soil evenly moist for the first 2-3 weeks while the plant establishes.
How big will Hameln Fountain Grass get?
The foliage reaches 18-24 inches wide and 18-24 inches tall at maturity. Bloom plumes add 6 more inches, reaching 24-30 inches tall. Full mature clump size develops within 2-3 growing seasons.
How much sun does Hameln Fountain Grass need?
Hameln thrives in full sun to light shade but performs best with full sun, which produces the best blooms and most compact form. It will tolerate partial shade but may bloom less abundantly.
What hardiness zones is Hameln Fountain Grass suited for?
Hameln is hardy in USDA zones 5-9. It survives winter temperatures down to -20°F and thrives in most of the continental United States, Pacific Northwest, and upper South.
What care does Hameln need in its first year?
Water regularly to maintain even moisture for the first 2-3 weeks while it establishes, then water during dry spells as needed. The plant blooms the first year from a quart container and shows moderate drought tolerance once established.