Description Family Poaceae. Garden Origin. Slender, perennial arching leaves form a compact, lush clump. Cute, fluffy flowers bloom reddish-pink in spring, fading to purple, then tan in autumn. Easy to grow in any light well-drained soil in full sun. ‘Red Buttons’ Fountain Grass in Your Garden A mini firework-like display of soft, fluffy red flowers radiates outwards from a compact clump of lush foliage. The irresistibly tactile flowers, resembling bunny’s tails, deepen in colour to purple/red during summer. They turn to tan in autumn as the foliage becomes a deep golden colour, and persist into winter. Hardy in southern and coastal UK gardens, it should be mulched with straw during winter elsewhere. It reaches 1m high and wide in 2–5 years, making an ideal, soft front-of-border or path-edging plant. It thrives in hot, dry spots, ideal for coastal Norfolk and Suffolk gardens of any style Amongst the many vivid flowering grass plants available it offers an outstanding colour, as it mellows from red to purple. Its broader, lush foliage is typical of the species thunbergii, a native of Africa, where it experiences dry seasons. In contrast, many fountain grass varieties are bred from the species alopecuroides and have its typically slender leaves. Growing Tips for Your Pennisetum thunbergii ‘Red Buttons’ Soil and Sun: Plant in well-drained soil; full sun is key. Planting: Set in spring or autumn; summer planting requires extra attention to watering. Plunge for 20 minutes to drench the root ball before planting. Do not add compost or improvers to soil. Watering: Moderate; tolerates drought once rooted, water sparingly once established. Pruning: Cut back dead foliage in late winter. An easy-to-grow species in pots, contemporary raised beds, or planted out in formal or cottage-style mixed borders. It contributes to garden displays except during coldest winter months as its flowers dry and add architectural presence into winter. A late-season bonus amongst the many vivid flowering grass plants available, following its summer display of endearing red blooms. Planting Ideas for Pennisetum Red Buttons Pander to the sense of touch. Create a tantalisingly tactile retreat with massed soft and sensual species inviting you to relax and recline. Plant a backdrop of Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’, ‘Ferner Osten’, and Molinia ‘Transparent’ for the lower-growing Fountain Grass. Add Miscanthus ‘Yakushima Dwarf’, Stipa tenuissima, and Pennisetum ‘Little Bunny’ to accompany the lower cascading ‘Red Buttons’. Add lacy and luxuriant Albizia ‘Chocolate Fountain’ and ‘Shidare’ with their pendulous feathery leaves and silky flowers. Brush against the swaying thread-like foliage of Chamaecyparis ‘Imbricata Pendula’. Luxuriate in the voluminous fluffy flowers of Cotinus ‘Young Lady’ and the plumes of Robinia ‘Lace Lady’ foliage.
