Expert: nick mccann - 8/31/2011

Question
I have purple fountan grass in urns on either side of my steps. I planted them about two months ago, a little later than ususal. However, they are not thriving. I see fountain grasses in gardens all over my city that look gorgeous, full and flowing. Mine have  more brownish dry stalks than green or purple. It is August, but still very hot here. They get plenty of water. I even checked the root systems to see if they were root bound. They are not. I moved them to full sun. It didn't seem to help. I realize they are annuals, and won't outlast the fall/winter. What can you suggest that I may have done wrong, or could do to perk them up? Even though they don't have flowers, I think purple fountain grass is one of the prettiest plants in the world! Help if you can.

Answer
Hi Patricia, without seeing them and having a detailed account of your planting procedure, it is difficult to finger a specific reason; try pruning them back severely, this often stimulates new and healthy growth, also give them a shadier afternoon resting place to reduce heat stress. Nick