This plant, which belongs to the sweet grass family, enjoys great popularity because of its uncomplicated care and high ornamental value. Characteristic of Pennisetum is the attractive leaf clump with the arching overhanging leaves, which form an almost perfect hemisphere even without pruning. The blossoms are reminiscent of small bottle brushes and set optically very pretty accents.

Pennisetum grass is a beautiful element in the garden

How is it poured?

If you cultivate the grass in the bucket, you must always water the plant when the soil at the top feels dry.

Grasses that thrive in beds only need to be watered when necessary, for example on very hot summer days. Then water sufficiently and deeply, because the pennisetum recovers only slowly from drought damage.

Which fertilizers are necessary?

The ornamental grass usually does not require any special fertilization. However, if the soil is a little depleted because the grass has been growing in the same place for many years, you should provide it with additional nutrients. Are suitable:

  • mature compost,
  • Complete fertilizer for perennials or green plants.

Is a pruning necessary?

The lamp cleaner grass should only be shortened in late spring, just before new growth. The clumps, covered with hoarfrost, look extremely decorative in winter and adorn the otherwise bare beds. They also offer small creatures a protective shelter.

In spring, cut the leaves about a hand's breadth above the ground. Since the lamp cleaning grass tends to age, you should dig it up every three to four years and rejuvenate it by division.

Does the plant need special winter protection?

If the ornamental grass, which is not completely hardy, is in a sheltered place, for example in front of a house wall and in a mild region, no winter protection is necessary.

If this is not the case, you should protect the root area with a warm layer of mulch and spread brushwood over it. To prevent rotting, you can also loosely tie the stalks together.

In very harsh locations, Pennisetum must be protected from severe frost by a small overwintering tent. Stretch bamboo mats or garden fleece over poles stuck into the ground so that the stems are not kinked.

You should not use foil, as moisture accumulates under it. As a result, the grass would begin to rot and die.

What diseases and pests are there?

These are not a problem for Pennisetum. The grass only reacts sensitively to waterlogging. You can prevent this by adding a drainage layer when planting.

tips

Do not cut off the inflorescences, as the seeds provide valuable food for birds in winter.

Category:

Herbs