Fountain grass is an ornamental plant with a spreading, clumping habit from the grass family (Poaceae). 'Hameln' is the more compact version of the species, with shorter flower spikes, which was introduced in the 1970's. Its bottle-brush shaped seed heads are attractive and will last into winter, giving your garden some winter interest. This plant is highly resistant to deer grazing. Its seeds are sterile. It will grow best in full sun but will tolerate part shade. Growing in the shade may lead to less flowering. It tolerates acidic and alkaline soils as well as occasional periods of dry or wet soil but prefers fertile well-drained soil. Can be grown as a container plant, providing the container is at least 3 gallon or larger. Hameln notably blooms about 2 weeks earlier than other species with showy flowers spikes resembling a bottle brush. When planted in masses they form an attractive cascading water fountain effect. This versatile plant performs well in mass plantings or combined with contrasting perennials in mixed perennial borders. Its small size lends itself well to container and patio gardens or along walkways and slopes. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No notable issues. Is deer and rabbit resistant. More information on Cenchrus alopecuroides .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.