I bring my Cordylines inside as I have ample space and enjoy the red or purple/black foliage as contrast to so many green foliage plants. I have left one outside but it came back the following spring too slowly...it was just 12" and didn't put on that much growth this summer, whereas the ones wintered inside just took off immediately. My favorite, Alternanthera dentata "Purple Knight", will grow to 36 inches here and will do well inside in pot, hold it's color, even have small fuzzy insignificant white blooms under a lamp or on windowsill. It can be pruned back easily to branch more and form smaller stockier plant. I have a couple of other Alternanthera, no label, one has bright red leaves and another butgundy foliage but only grows to 15" or so. Same care applies. I often cut tall stems along with various large Coleus and Ipomoea batata "Marguerite" or "Blackie" to make a big "bouquet" in water. Rinsing and removing dying leaves is necessary for a week or so but easy and once roots start I have a "living bouquet" until spring...just keep topped up with water. In spring I don't try and plant whole plant with roots...I just make new cuttings and discard roots formed in water. The better the light the more vibrant the colors but sun isn't necessary, just a windowsill...at least here in AL. Even a tall lamp with 150 watt bulb will do. This method also works with Cordylines, by the way...I've cut tops off and put in large floor vase stabilized with black Japanese water stones...or in ceramic pot with just plain rocks. There again, I just make top cuttings in spring to root in soil...the roots formed in water don't adjust well to soil in my experience. I find it easier to grow in water than in a large pot and easier to top up wth water with no aggravation from too much water drainage into overflowing saucer or underwatering. (I have about 100 other plants to care for...LOL). Good luck. josh

Fountain Grass (Pennisetum) will frequently droop from rain, particularly heavy rain or overhead watering. It is especially noticed when the plants are in bloom. The impact and weight of the water pushes them down, and is exacerbated when the flower heads are soaked. It's hard to control the rain, but try bottom watering them (as in drip irrigation) and see if it makes a difference.

Two of the three finally put out new growth. Since they were so small I dug them up and potted them. Seeing new ones at the nursery was hard to resist so I decided to try again. Bought three qt. size pots and 1 gallon "Fireworks". Next winter I'll cover them when hard freezes are predicted. Am still looking for one that's a guaranteed perennial. Something in the 3 foot range. Suggestions?

Congratulations, Meggs! I bought one of those from Bunnings that were looking very sad by the time I'd found them, probably back in about June or July. It's now looking VERY stunning, in a pot. I'd first seen it potted up in a white pot, with the rounded white pebbles, and decided that was the look I wanted. It would no doubt depend on your climate and soil as to whether your plant would increase faster in the ground or a pot. I have personally found it does better in a pot - the bits that I did stick in the ground sat and did nothing, whereas once I'd potted them, they took off.