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Cassian Dwarf Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Cassian'

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Cassian Dwarf Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Cassian') at Homestead Gardens

Cassian Dwarf Fountain Grass

Cassian Dwarf Fountain Grass

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Cassian Dwarf Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Cassian') at Homestead Gardens

Cassian Dwarf Fountain Grass flowers

Cassian Dwarf Fountain Grass flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Plant Height:  24 inches

Flower Height:  3 feet

Spread:  30 inches

Sunlight:  full sun 

Hardiness Zone:  4b

Description:

A fine textured dwarf fountain grass suitable for smaller areas; bright green foliage turns orange-red in fall; blooms are large bottle brush like plumes of pale pink that persist until winter; beautiful as a rock garden accent or massed in borders

Ornamental Features

Cassian Dwarf Fountain Grass has masses of beautiful plumes of pink flowers with white overtones rising above the foliage in mid summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its grassy leaves are green in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous coppery-bronze in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Cassian Dwarf Fountain Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with a shapely form and gracefully arching stems. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Cassian Dwarf Fountain Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • Rock/Alpine Gardens
  • General Garden Use
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Cassian Dwarf Fountain Grass will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 30 inches. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Cassian Dwarf Fountain Grass is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Accent  Massing  Rock  Garden  Container 
Applications
Flowers  Fall Color  Texture  Plant Form 
Ornamental Features