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Ornamental Grasses

Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' look alike?

13 years ago

This is a really wonderful grass but not hardy in my zone. I'd like to find something with a similar growth habit to replace them. I use them on my condo (read, small) property line where the 3 foot height and sturdy upright growth define the edge without intruding on my neighbor and they seldom get knocked over by storms. Any suggestions?

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donn_
13 years ago
There really isn't anything perennial in your zone which will match the look. Pennisetum orientale 'Karley Rose' has blooms which are very similar, but the foliage is green, and the habit is a bit more sprawling.

If you can take a different look, there are dozens of other grasses with good upright habits and similar sizes. Some are even more upright, and have extremely handsome blooms as well.

Use the Ornamental Grass Comparison Chart linked below, and shop by height and habit. Then bore in to look at the photos to help find substitutes.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bluestem Ornamental Grass Comparison Chart
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Donn, Thanks for that informative link. It certainly did answer the question of Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' being perennial in zone 9. However, I didn't think that it spoke much to my question about self-sowing and certainly didn't say anything about coming true to form. So ..... taking a page from your book .. I emailed the author of the fact sheet and said, "Dr. Gilman, Could you please answer a question with regards to an extension fact sheet that you authored ; Fact Sheet FPS-464 - October 1999 A large group of Ornamental Grass lovers have a forum on the Garden Web where we discuss growing,propagating and all other topics relating to ornamental grasses. A topic that comes up regularly is the hardiness of Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' and whether it can or cannot be grown from seed. Recently this topic resurfaced and one of the participants referenced your Fact Sheet. Your hardiness information is quite useful. But, I still have questions about the self-sowing aspect of this grass. (In my zone (USDA 5) this cultivar does not appear to produce any viable seed.) In your fact sheet you say; "However, it will reseed itself into surrounding landscapes. This could present a problem under certain circumstances."Does the cultivar produce as much viable seed as the species? Do the seedlings come true to the cultivar or do they resemble the species?" With his permission I copy his reply, "The spcies has been documented in central florida as escaping. I am not aware of reports of the cultivar excaping." Ed gilman So, once again I wonder .....
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