Pennisetum thunbergii 'Red Buttons'
fountain grass 'Red Buttons'
'Red Buttons' is a deciduous, perennial grass with bright green foliage turning yellow in autumn and light brown in winter. Dark red, bristly flowers are produced on fine stems from mid-summer to early autumn
Synonyms
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Buttons'Pennisetum massaicum 'Red Buttons'
see morePennisetum 'Red Buttons'
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Red | Yellow Green | ||
| Winter | Brown |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Poaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Pennisetum can be annual or perennial, evergreen or deciduous grasses, clump-forming or spreading in habit, with linear leaves and narrow flowering panicles with conspicuous bristles
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil. May need winter protection in colder areas
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in a warm glasshouse in spring or by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Remove dead foliage and old flowered stems in spring
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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