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Grass Like

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Little Honey' (v)

Chinese fountain grass 'Little Honey'

Dwarf, clump-forming, densely tufted, evergreen perennial grass about 35-45cm tall, with flat, linear, white-striped, mid-green leaves, and bearing greenish-white flowers in narrow, spike-like clusters in summer and autumn

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Poaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Tufted, Clump forming
Genus: Pennisetum can be annual or perennial, evergreen or deciduous grasses, clump-forming or spreading in habit, with linear leaves and narrow flowering panicles with conspicuous bristles
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun with shelter. Ideal for container cultivation and overwintered in a cold greenhouse or provide winter protection in colder areas. See Ornamental grasses cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division in late spring or early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging

Pruning

Cut back dead foliage and old flowered stems in early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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