{"product_id":"red-head-fountain-grass","title":"Red Head Fountain Grass","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"pd-title-head\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePennisetum alopecuroides\u003c\/em\u003e 'Red Head'\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Borders, mass plantings, specimen, containers, cut flower gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBenefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e One of the earliest-blooming fountain grasses, producing oversized smoky burgundy bottlebrush plumes from mid to late summer. Gracefully arching foliage creates a dense, fountain-shaped mound with strong four-season presence. Plumes are outstanding for fresh and dried arrangements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLife Cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy Perennial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mounding, Arching — dense fountain of cascading leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Burgundy to Pink\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Green, turning golden yellow in fall\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–4 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Summer through fall\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSummary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Head Fountain Grass earns its name with massive, smoky burgundy plumes that emerge earlier in the season than most fountain grass selections. The bottlebrush-style flower spikes can reach up to ten inches long and three inches wide, arching outward from the foliage in a dramatic display that is especially striking when backlit by low sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelow the plumes, deep green ribbon-like leaves cascade into a dense, rounded mound that brings graceful movement and soft texture to any planting. As fall progresses, the foliage shifts to warm gold and the plumes fade to silvery tan, maintaining visual interest well into winter. The dried plumes hold their shape beautifully for indoor arrangements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis warm-season grass is easy to maintain, deer resistant, and reliably drought tolerant once established. It performs equally well as a bold specimen at the center of a bed, planted in sweeping masses along a border, or grown in large containers on patios and terraces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRed Head Fountain Grass Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant Red Head Fountain Grass in full sun for the best flower production and the strongest upright-arching form. It tolerates light shade but will produce fewer plumes and may develop a looser habit. Well-drained soil is important — this grass performs well in average to dry conditions and does not tolerate waterlogged or poorly drained sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater regularly during the first growing season to support root establishment. Once established, Red Head Fountain Grass is drought tolerant and needs supplemental water only during extended dry spells. Avoid heavy fertilization, which can produce weak, floppy growth. In lean soils, a light spring application of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/slow-release-fertilizer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eslow release fertilizer\u003c\/a\u003e is adequate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCut the entire plant back to a few inches above the ground in late winter to early spring before new growth emerges. As a warm-season grass, it is one of the last plants to break dormancy in spring. Plant crowns slightly above ground level to reduce the risk of crown rot in wet winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSize\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Size is the Red Head Fountain Grass for Sale Online?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Red Head Fountain Grass ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/pages\/contact\" title=\"Contact Almanac Planting Co\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003econtact us\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Large Does Red Head Fountain Grass Grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Head Fountain Grass reaches 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide at maturity. The arching flower plumes may extend several inches above the leaf mound at peak bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAdditional Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are some common names for this plant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis plant is commonly known as Red Head Fountain Grass and Chinese Fountain Grass. The species Pennisetum alopecuroides is also sold under the reclassified genus name Cenchrus alopecuroides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes Red Head different from other fountain grasses?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Head blooms earlier than most fountain grass cultivars, typically beginning in mid to late summer rather than early fall. Its plumes are also significantly larger and darker in color than standard selections, creating a bolder visual impact. It was selected by Brent Horvath from seedlings of Pennisetum 'National Arboretum.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Red Head Fountain Grass deer resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Fountain grasses are generally left alone by deer, making Red Head a dependable choice for landscapes with browsing pressure. Browse our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/deer-resistant-plants\"\u003edeer-resistant plants\u003c\/a\u003e collection for more options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan Red Head Fountain Grass be grown in containers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed Head performs well in large containers and makes a dramatic patio focal point. Use a deep, well-drained pot and water more frequently than in-ground plantings. Plants hardy in the ground may require winter protection when grown in containers in colder zones. Explore our full selection of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/grasses\"\u003eOrnamental Grasses\u003c\/a\u003e for more container-friendly options.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Almanac Planting Co","offers":[{"title":"3 Gallon \/ Ship ASAP","offer_id":46700818661538,"sku":"PNO5-RHFnGr-3-1yr","price":69.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0586\/9374\/6850\/files\/Red-Head-Fountain-Grass-1.jpg?v=1774342857","url":"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/red-head-fountain-grass","provider":"Almanac Planting Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}