Pennisetum Seeds 'Alopecuroides Viridescens'

• Purple-tinged fluffy flowerheads in late summer
• Foliage turns yellow in autumn
• Combines well with flowering perennials
• Evergreen

With its bright green leaves and soft, tactile purple-tinged flowerheads, Pennisetum alopecuroides f. viridescens is a very elegant evergreen grass, perfect for dotting through a sunny border. It combines beautifully with flowering perennials, and the leaves turn beautiful shades of yellow and orange in autumn. The fluffy flowerspires are also good for cutting.

Sow outdoors

Sow in trays of pre-watered seed compost and cover lightly. Keep in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse, do not allow to dry out and allow 2-3 weeks for germination.

Grow on

When large enough to handle, transplant into 12cm (5in) pots using a well draining compost, ideally with added grit. Slowly acclimatise to outdoor conditions before planting out after frosts.

Plant out

Choose a sunny spot in any well-drained soil. Plant approximately 50cm (20in) apart. Alternatively, plant in a large container using good quality compost, ensuring free drainage. Equally suited to large pots, mixed borders and larger scale planting.