Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Little Bunny’
Overview
Uses: Front of the border, edging, rock gardens, outdoor containers, and mass plantings.
Benefits: A dwarf fountain grass that forms a neat mound of fine foliage topped with fuzzy, bunny-tail plumes from late summer into fall. Small enough for edging, rock gardens, and containers.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9
Sun: Full Sun
Life Cycle: Hardy Perennial
Growth Habit: Mounding, Clumping — tidy dwarf fountain.
Bloom Color: Cream to Tan
Foliage Color: Green, turning Golden in fall
Mature Height: 12–18 inches
Mature Width: 12–18 inches
Bloom Season: Late summer to fall
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
A small fountain grass with soft, fuzzy plumes you will want to touch.
Little Bunny is one of the smallest fountain grasses you can grow. It forms a neat, low mound of fine green blades only twelve to eighteen inches tall and wide, which makes it easy to fit where full-size grasses would take over: the front edge of a bed, along a walkway, tucked among rocks, or in a patio pot.
From late summer into fall, short stems carry soft, fuzzy plumes just above the foliage. They open creamy white, ripen to tan, and look a lot like little rabbit tails bobbing in the breeze. As the weather cools, the foliage turns golden, then a warm tan that holds through much of the winter.
Plant it in a row as a soft edging, repeat it along the front of a border to tie a planting together, or mass it on a sunny slope. It pairs well with low sedums, catmint, and other sun-loving perennials.
Care
Little Bunny Fountain Grass Care
Plant in full sun. Strong light gives the fullest mound and the most plumes; in shade the clump stays thinner and blooms less.
Fountain grass grows in most average, well-drained soils. Avoid spots where water stands in winter, which can rot the crown.
Water deeply once a week through the first growing season while roots establish. Established clumps handle short dry spells well but look best with water during long droughts.
Fertilizer is rarely needed. In poor soil, a light application of a slow release fertilizer in spring is enough.
Leave the foliage standing through winter; it helps protect the crown. In early spring, before new growth appears, cut the clump back to two or three inches. If the center thins after several years, divide the clump in spring.
Growing in Containers
Its small size makes it a good fit for patio pots and mixed containers. Use a pot with open drainage and a quality potting mix. Container plants dry out faster than plants in the ground, so check moisture often in warm weather, and feed lightly each spring, since frequent watering washes nutrients out of the mix. Roots in containers experience greater cold exposure than roots in the ground. Plants hardy in the ground may require winter protection when grown in containers in colder zones.
Size
What Size is the Little Bunny Fountain Grass for Sale Online?
Our Little Bunny Fountain Grass ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Plants ship dormant or cut back in the off-season, so they may arrive without green foliage. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Little Bunny Fountain Grass Grow?
Expect about 12 to 18 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide at maturity, in a low, rounded mound. Space plants about 12 to 18 inches apart for a continuous edging.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
It is most often called dwarf fountain grass, and is also sold as Chinese fountain grass.
How is it different from Hameln fountain grass?
Both are compact forms of the same species, but Little Bunny is smaller. It stays about 12 to 18 inches tall, while Hameln reaches about 2 to 3 feet. Choose Little Bunny for edging, rock gardens, and pots, and Hameln where you want a fuller mound in the middle of a border. For more choices, see our Ornamental Grasses.
Why is it slow to come up in spring?
Fountain grass is a warm-season grass. It stays dormant until the soil warms in mid to late spring, then grows quickly. A clump that still looks bare in April is normal.
Do deer eat fountain grass?
Deer rarely bother fountain grass. No plant is completely deer-proof, but it is a dependable choice for sunny beds with deer pressure. See more Deer-Resistant Perennials and Grasses.
