Black fountain grass is an ornamental plant with a spreading, clumping habit from the grass family (Poaceae). Moudry is a vigorous grower, often extending out to 3 feet wide, known for its long lasting maroon colored flowers. Wide, dark green, glossy leaves are more upright in form than other fountain grasses. A prolific self seeder in warm climates, it was introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum in the late 1900's. It grows best in full sun but will tolerate part shade. Growing in the shade may lead to less flowering. Highly tolerant of moist to wet soils; it lends itself well to plantings in rain gardens, ponds and slopes for erosion control. In warm climates it may become an aggressive spreader and should be cut back before seeds mature. Division is the best form of propagation. Moudry received the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit in March 2021 for its ornamental qualities and vibrant color. This plant attracts pollinators and songbirds. As a specimen plant it performs well in mass plantings or combined with contrasting perennials in mixed perennial borders. Its height and color make it an excellent filler in large containers and pots. See native alternatives to the left. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No notable issues. Weedy. 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.
Similar, less problematicPanicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine'Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Mounding
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Sheath; Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Rosulate
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Medium to dark green glossy sheathing, 20 to 24 inch leaves are 1/2 inch wide with finely serrated margins. They turn yellow in the fall and tan in the winter.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Black; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Long-lasting
Flower form
Panicle; Raceme
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Inflorescence is a raceme of spikelets that are elongated, cylindrical, resembling a bottlebrush or fox tail. Dark plumes make excellent cut flowers
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Caryopsis
Fruit detail
The seed is in the form of brown grain, which breaks open after a hard freeze and naturalizes readily. Wind-blown or attaches to clothes or fur by hooks.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Upright to arching stems that grow up to 2-4 feet tall.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Caryopsis
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Pond; Riparian
Landscape theme
Rain Garden
Design feature
Border
Garden tags
#deer resistant #ornamental grass #borders #full sun tolerant #fall color #weedy #rain garden #purple flowers #high maintenance