Pennisetum – Prairie Winds® Desert Plains

This large fountain grass makes a beautiful focal point in the fall garden. Large, tan, bottlebrush flowers are produced atop the upright vase-shaped clump of green foliage. Red, orange, and yellow fall color.

Features

This large fountain grass makes a beautiful focal point in the fall garden. Large, tan, bottlebrush flowers are produced atop the upright vase-shaped clump of green foliage. Red, orange, and yellow fall color.

Resists: Deer

Erosion Control

Grass

Fall Interest

Winter Interest

Foliage Interest

Maintenance Notes
This ornamental grass grows best in rich, well-drained soil and full sun to light shade. It does not tolerate wet soil. Leave foliage standing through winter if desired, but cut back before new growth appears in spring.

Needs Good Drainage

Uses Notes

Best in landscapes.

Maintenance Category Easy

Water Category Average

Bloom Time

Flower Form Container, Landscape

Soil Fertility Average Soil

Soil PH Category Neutral Soil

pH B - pH 5.8 - 6.2, C - pH 6.0 - 6.5

EC (2:1 Extraction Method) 0.6 - 1.3

Fertilization 100 - 150

Light Requirements High

Water Requirements Moderate to Moist

Rooting Out Temperature 65 - 72° Fahrenheit

Growing On Temperature 65 - 75° Fahrenheit

Holding Temperature 40 - 50° Fahrenheit

Planting and Timing Information

Late Spring to Fall Sales. Standard PPP.

Finishing Times [weeks]
4-5" and Quart Pot : 4-8
6" and Gallon Pot : 6-9
7-9" Pot : 8-10
10-12" and Two Gallon Pot : 9-11

Pinching and Growth Regulators

No pinching or growth regulators needed. Plants can be trimmed back to control height and increase bushiness. Do not trim back more than 1/2 the height of the plant at any one time.

Plants grown outside should not need growth regulators.

If growth regulation is needed on 'Desert Plains,' Bonzi is effective.

Burgundy Bunny and does not need growth regulators.

Pest and Disease Management

General pest and disease practices as listed in notes. Scout for spider mites and treat as necessary.

Grower Tips

-'Desert Plains' flowers later than Hameln and the seed heads are larger and showier. Due to the later flowering, reseeding is less problematic.
-It can be grown and sold for foliage for Late Spring through Mid Summer and will be flowering for Late Summer and Fall sales.

-Avoid planting too high or too deeply as either can cause problems. Plant even with the liner.

-'Desert Plains' is best suited for gallon or larger production.
-Burgundy Bunny is best suited for 4.5" to gallon production.

-Vernalization is required for flowering, however, the plants are often grown as foliage plants in which case vernalization can be skipped.