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Annuals/Ornamental purple fountain grass

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Expert: - 6/15/2004


Question
I live in Pennsylvania about 30 miles south of Pittsburgh.  I planted purple fountain grass in the ground (pennisetum setaceum "rubrum") last spring and in the fall I cut it down.  This spring it never came back.  Because I really liked the plant I replanted one.  I need to know if this plant needs to be cut back and if so when?  I don't want to lose another one!!  Thanks for your help!

Answer
Becky,
The sad news is that Purple Fountain grass is an annual where you live - it does not live where the temperatures go much below 30 degees in the winter.    Plant it as an annual and enjoy it all summer!  Unfortunately, it does not overwinter well indoors either.

all the best,
C.L. Fornari
www.gardenlady.com

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C.L. Fornari

Expertise

Annuals suggested for specific situations (sun, shade, windowboxes etc) New or unusual annuals are a particular interest of mine, and I grow many of these from seed. I am happy to help problem solve, answer questions about maintenance, and guide you to sources of unusual plants.

Experience

I am a garden writer/speaker/consultant and host of a weekly gardening radio program in the Northeast. I have been gardening all my life for my own pleasure, and started as a professional gardener and garden communicator 15 years ago. I work part-time at a garden center, selling and tending shrubs/trees/annuals/perennials...and doing some propagation and design work. I often think that all these professional activities serve to put a somewhat legitimate framework around a serious case of plant-lust.

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