Do you want to have plants in your garden that look beautiful even in the winter months? The easy-care pennisetum grass with the funny panicles that look like small brushes is particularly suitable for this. However, since Pennisetum prefers full sun, warm locations, many garden lovers are hesitant to cultivate it. In this article we clarify, among other things, whether the ornamental grass is hardy.
Is Pennisetum hardy?
The Pennisetum grass (Pennisetum) is generally hardy and can overwinter outdoors. Protective measures such as bundling the stalks and, if necessary, covering the roots are recommended. Exception: The red pennisetum (Pennisetum setaceum rubrum) requires special winter protection or should be overwintered indoors.
Is Pennisetum frost-tolerant?
Pennisetum is very robust and can also be overwintered outdoors in our latitudes. The frost-covered ears of corn look extremely attractive and give the garden a beautiful look at a time when otherwise little is blooming. This makes it ideal for winter greening of the garden.
How is the grass properly overwintered?
Despite the basic frost resistance, you should take a few basic measures to ensure that Pennisetum gets through the cold season unscathed:
- Do not cut back the Pennisetum grass in autumn as this would make it more susceptible to frost and rot damage.
- Tie the long stalks together instead. These form a natural root protection against sub-zero temperatures.
- Additional winter protection is only necessary in harsh locations.
If necessary, you can cover the root area with brushwood or leaves. A self-built winter tent made of poles, bamboo mats or garden fleece also serves well.
Overwintering Pennisetum cultivated in a pot
The attractive pennisetum grass can be easily maintained in a pot on the terrace or balcony. In this case, however, you should not overwinter it outdoors, but rather place the ornamental grass in a frost-free but cool room during the winter months. A cellar or an arbor that is not completely dark is ideal.
Water the Pennisetum if necessary; the root ball should never dry out completely.
Exception: The Red Pennisetum
Pennisetum setaceum rubrum is actually very demanding to cultivate, but unlike other varieties it is not winter-hardy. The cold, wet winters in our latitudes are hard on the red pennisetum and it cannot survive the cold season without appropriate measures.
In a warm, wind-protected location, for example in front of a wall, year-round outdoor cultivation can be achieved with sufficient winter protection. Alternatively, you can wrap the lower half of the ornamental grass with frost-proof material such as plant fleece and additionally protect the root area with leaves or brushwood.
In cold regions, it is better to put the pretty red ornamental grass in pots that you can overwinter indoors.
Tip
Get the Pennisetum carefully used to the changing conditions in spring. If you have protected the Pennisetum with an overwintering tent, you can remove it as soon as the temperatures rise. If it unexpectedly gets very cold again, you can place a fleece over the plant if necessary. Increase the light supply to potted plants step by step.
