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pennisetum in pots...

Janie BJanie B Posts: 963
in Plants
Saw some great grasses in pots last summer, and thought I'd have a go at growing some pennisetum rubrum. I'd like to pair it with some flowers in a contrasting colour, but am undecided as to what would look good... blue or orange maybe? Or should I just stick to white (cosmos)?
Lincolnshire
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Posts

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I don’t grow them but I’m bumping this up to the front page for you. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    They are lovely grasses, but very tender, certainly need over wintering somewhere quite warm.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    I grew it next to a little pale pink rambling rose (the one called Little Rambler) also in a pot a couple of years ago. I think it is down to personal choice with how you like and perceive colours. I really liked that combination.
    Although it is a deep purpley red grass there is a hint of pink to the flowering heads.
    The white Cosmos would look nice. But for my eyes the orange would not work.

    I love that particular grass but did not manage to keep it. To be fair the nursery i bought it from did warn me it was not hardy and needed protection.
    According to Knoll gardens who know a bit about grasses :D
    They say it is best kept at ten degrees C and good light overwinter.
    I did not realize at the time my frost free blow away just would not do.

  • Janie BJanie B Posts: 963
    Thanks, @Lyn for the bump, and thanks @punkdoc and @Rubytoo for the warnings re cold weather. Think I'll give them a go, and consider them annuals if I can't keep them over winter. May stay safe and plant with something white. Fingers crossed!
    Lincolnshire
  • Gail_68Gail_68 Posts: 38
    edited January 2019
    Hi @Janie B I have 4 pennisetum in my garden 2 "Skyrockets" in the back garden and 2 "Summer Samba" in the front garden and they don't come back each year but they're a beautiful grass and i'm hoping they can fight through the cold weather, as it as been known for them to come back...like yourself I love my grasses :) 


    Skyrockets look superb with their deep red leaves and their squirrel tail looking flowers, as my hubby calls them lol



  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    Janie B like Gails ones if you look at the place I mentioned they have a wide range of them, not quite P. rubrum but some other ones like Gails.
    They have that too though.

    I also keep thinking of getting some again there is simply no other quite like it.
    Decent ones are not cheap, wish they could be grown from seed. I am too tight to risk repeatedly throwing or losing them end of season without facilities to easily keep them going. :D And it is sad to lose such a pretty thing.
    Then I go thinking it is worth it.....
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Is that what’s commonly known as Foxtail grass, if so, I grew them from seed a few years ago, they didn’t overwinter. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Janie BJanie B Posts: 963
    Hmmm... that Knolls place certainly has some fab grasses, @Rubytoo, I've just checked their www. I've always resented paying for annuals, preferring to invest in perennials, but then, I guess maybe sometimes it's worth it if they're really special... And I've often spent money on perennials that haven't really been worth the dime spent... (*trying to justify buying them as 'annuals'*)
    Lincolnshire
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    edited January 2019
    I know what you mean, but I have not found rubrum seed, though I may be looking in the wrong places.
    I do not know if it is the best place to buy but I like their site good photos and information, seem honest to state clearly what is not hardy :)

    If it is encouragement you wish for Janie B.
    Consider me sitting on your shoulder saying "Do it, just this once. Just to try.... >:)
  • Janie BJanie B Posts: 963
     :) 
    Lincolnshire
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