Pennisetum villosum Flower (28/07/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Summer to early autumn
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 60cm
Eventual Spread: 60cm
Hardiness: 9a – 10b
Family: Poaceae
Pennisetum villosum is a clump forming, deciduous, perennial grass. Its light green leaves are linear, up to 60cm long and 6mm broad. Its white/ green flowers appear in panicles above the leaves and are up to 5cm long. This plant readily goes to seed. Its roots are rhizomes.
Pennisetum villosum, commonly known as Feathertop Grass, is native to North East Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
The etymology root of the binomial name Pennisetum is derived from the Latin penna ’feather’ and seta ‘bristle’ in reference to the seed heads. Villosum
Pennisetum villosum (28/07/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
The landscape architect may find Pennisetum villosum useful as part of a prairie type planting scheme. It also looks fantastic when planted en mass. In colder climates this plant can be treated as an annual and may self seed.
Ecologically, P. villosum the seeds of this plant is attractive to birds.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given P. villosum their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2002.
P. villosum prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Pennisetum villosum requires little maintenance. To keep a tidy appearance last years leaves may be pruned to ground level in spring.