Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Head’ (to our right of Lily the cat) started flowering in early September.
Not only is it floriferous and long-lived, it’s fully hardy even when grown in a pot.
Richly coloured before the large panicles fully open.
Fully open 7″ long panicles are designed to trap moisture be it dew, mist, rain or frost.
The secret is said to be in its three sets of bristles …
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- At the base of the developing, still green seeds a mass of dark, whiskery bristles.
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- In cross-section a star shaped structure is apparent.
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- A fibre tip pen points towards sparkling stigmas and golden anthers
Against a dark background, a fuzz of white down can be seen coating the intricate central stem structures too.
Conjuring moisture from thin air is a pretty neat trick!
Barn House Garden 
Fascinating. The adaptations of plants are brilliant. Great post :-)
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Of all the grasses I grow, Pennisetum is perfectly adapted to capturing moisture across the seasons. This particular species is a whizz at it right through until late winter.
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Beautiful plant, looks lovely in your garden.
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It’s a showstopper either as a pot specimen or planted en masse.
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That’s a wonderful series of pictures and a beautiful grass. Redheads have all the fun! And your garden is looking amazing.
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RH is the ‘Lucille Ball’ of my late season grasses, full of razzle dazzle …
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I had to smile when I opened your post as I had just photographed my ‘Moudry’ with its glistening bristles, the first time it has flowered and the first time I have seen this. Your photographs are amazing though – the close ups explain the concept briliantly. Thank you so much for sharing
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Thanks, Cathy. Well done for getting ‘Moudry’ to flower, on the damp, grey Welsh borders I do much better with the more recent dark flowered introductions like ‘Dark Desire’ or ‘Black Beauty’.All of which means, I’m over the moon that ‘Red Head’ performs so well too.
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I don’t think I can take any credit for ‘Moudry’ flowering Kate… ;) Will look out for the dark ones you mentioned for possible 2017 purchases!!
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So beautiful.
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🙂
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Oh dear, now that’s another one I want!
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It’s a choice one for a wish list😉
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I want this grass!!!! Did you grow it from seed? Stunning images too. Great post.
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It’s a real head turner. Not from seed, I guess they’d revert to the darker forms. Looks like it would divide next year though!
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A real beauty! Where did you buy it?
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It’s a fairly recent introduction, I got mine from Knoll gardens a few years ago but have seen it since in a local garden centre. People don’t realise how beautiful P.alopecuroides are until they flower, if I bump into one of the newer cultivars I always buy them.’ Cassian’s Choice’is said to be flushed a distinctive purple. They’re great in flower arrangements too 😉.
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Beautiful last picture.
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Pennisetum alopecuroides really sparkles doesn’t it? The only other genus of grass that comes close is Calamagrostis brachytrichia …. Do you grow either, Brian?
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I bought two of the Calamagrostis when visiting a garden recently, I just have to find room for them now!
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It’s a beautiful grass, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
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I like the way you zoomed in on the features of this plant–how many faces of beauty? How many phases of beauty? You have led us to the door…now it is up to us to cross the threshold. Thank you.
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Well, thank you ….I think beauty has many enticing faces, it’s up to us to find them.
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Kate, there is no doubt: you have green thumbs and fingers too! Lovely photos.
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Really, I don’t, Cynthia, I have simply chosen a very easy to get on with family of plants and their friends which altogether are capable of doing extraordinary things …..all you need is a little imagination, then to have faith in them.
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These are really beautiful, Kate!
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Thank you, Lavinia, this seems a really special cultivar – have to say, I can’t always tell the difference with the dark flowered ones.
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