Green Guide: Pennisetum

‘Princess Molly,’ which is the second generation of ‘Prince,’ produces thin, russet-burgundy leaves, but grows less than 30 inches tall. It is an ideal plant for smaller landscapes where color is desired but size is not.

‘Princess Caroline,’ which produces wide, brilliant-purple foliage, grows to a mature height of about 3 feet. A shorter version of ‘Princess,’ Caroline has better disease resistance, excellent weather tolerance and sturdier growth.

Both cultivars, from Athens Select, grow best in full sun and offer excellent heat and drought tolerance and can be grown across the country. They will not flower except in total frost-free areas. They are reliably cold hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11, and often come back in Zone 7b.

In the landscape, plants should be fertilized monthly, and twice a month for those in containers using a well-balanced fertilizer.

In the Nursery
Plant one liner (38- or 50-cell size) per 6-inch or 1-gallon container. A growing mix containing 10-15 percent pine bark is suggested. Keep the medium moist, but not consistently wet.

Provide a constant feed of 250-300 parts per million nitrogen from a well-balanced complete fertilizer. No pinching or growth regulators are required.

Drench with a broad spectrum fungicide at liner planting as a preventive treatment.
Both ‘Princess Molly’ and ‘Princess Caroline’ finish in an average of six to eight weeks in 6-inch pots and eight to 10 weeks in 1-gallon containers.
 

1) ‘Princess Molly’, 2) ‘Princess Caroline’, 3) ‘Princess Molly’ (front), grows 14-20 inches tall.
‘Princess Caroline’ grows to about 3 feet tall. Both offer excellent heat and drought tolerance.

For more: Athens Select, (760) 944-7889; www.athensselect.com.