The Latin name for the pennisetum, Pennisetum, can be traced back to the attractive inflorescences. “Penna” means feather, “Seta” is bristle. The ornamental grass forms an extraordinarily pretty clump of leaves whose foliage overhangs like a hemisphere. In spring, however, the feather bristle grass tends to be a late bloomer, so many plant lovers are wondering whether the plant is actually sprouting that late or has even died.

The lamp cleaner grass only sprout the beautiful spikes in late summer

Pennisetum grass hibernates for a long time

Pennisetum is one of the "warm-season grasses" that sprout green stalks very late. Depending on the region in which they live, they will not sprout until the beginning of May. So you have to be patient, especially in rough locations, and don't think too early that the ornamental grass didn't survive the winter.

Preparation for the new gardening season

The late budding in spring also affects care:

  • Do not prune pennisetum in the fall, but only in the spring.
  • Tie the grass in a tuft and leave the leaves and buds on the plant. As a result, the foliage protects the heart from cold and wet.
  • In late spring, just before the young shoots appear, cut off the dried stalks about a hand's breadth above the ground.
  • Wear gloves when doing this job as the edges of the leaves are often razor sharp.

The pruning in the spring also prevents the fresh shoots from getting caught in the dead leaves. They would then continue to grow poorly and could be damaged if you try to detach the withered leaves from the new shoots.

Pennisetum grass blossoms late in the garden year

In contrast to the cold-season grasses, which include fescue species, for example, you can only expect flowers from the lamp-pennisetum in mid or late summer. On the other hand, the false panicles survive the winter months and provide attractive accents when almost nothing else is blooming in the garden.

tips

The dense foliage of the feather bristle grass and the flowers covered with hoarfrost look extremely decorative in winter. However, Pennisetum is also valued by hedgehogs and many other garden dwellers as a winter quarters and thus fulfills important ecological aspects.

Category:

Herbs