Grass - Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'

• Plumes attract birds, especially finches, in late summer and fall for seed.
  
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  Foliage provides shelter for small wildlife.
  
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  Dried plumes are also valued in cut flower arrangements.
  

• Spring: Fresh green foliage emerges.
  
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  Summer: Dense green clump topped with soft flower spikes.
  
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  Fall: Foliage turns golden, plumes remain attractive.
  
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  Winter: Dried golden foliage and fluffy plumes add structure and movement.
  

– Compact borders, mass plantings, edging, containers, low-maintenance landscapes, wildlife-friendly gardens, cut flower and dried arrangements

• Narrow, arching, green leaves form dense mounds.
  
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  Leaves are fine-textured and 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide.
  
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  Foliage turns golden-tan in fall and remains attractive into winter.
  

Produces abundant creamy-white to soft pink bottlebrush plumes in midsummer to fall.

Plumes rise just above the foliage, creating a soft, elegant display.

Flowers age to tan and persist through winter.

Plant in spring or early fall to allow roots to establish before extreme heat or cold.

Choose a site with well-drained soil; this grass dislikes heavy, waterlogged ground.

Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide.

Place the plant so the crown is level with the soil surface.

Backfill with soil, press gently to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly.

Space plants 18–24 inches apart for clumping or mass plantings.

Apply mulch to conserve moisture, but keep it away from the crown to prevent rot.

Cut back to 4–6 inches above ground in late winter or very early spring before new growth appears.

Do not prune in fall; the dried foliage and plumes add winter interest.

Divide clumps every 3–4 years in spring if growth becomes too dense.

• Water regularly during the first season to establish roots.
  
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  Once established, moderately drought tolerant, though flowering is best with consistent moisture.
  
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  Avoid prolonged drought stress for peak bloom.
  

Prefers full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight).

Can tolerate very light partial shade, but flowering is reduced and habit may be looser.

Seed heads can be cut and dried for arrangements in late summer or fall.

Seeds are edible for birds but not used for human consumption.

• Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as growth begins.
  
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  Too much nitrogen can cause floppy growth; lean soil conditions often encourage sturdier plants.
  
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  Compost or organic mulch works well for light feeding.
  

As a grass, pollination is wind-driven, not insect-dependent.

Flowers produce viable seed, but ‘Hameln’ is a clump-forming cultivar and does not spread aggressively by seed.

• Shrubs: Spiraea japonica, Potentilla fruticosa, Hydrangea paniculata.
  
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  Perennials: Echinacea purpurea, Rudbeckia fulgida, Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, Salvia nemorosa.
  
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  Other grasses: Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’, Festuca glauca, Panicum virgatum.
  
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  Works well in mixed borders, cottage gardens, and naturalistic plantings, or as edging along walkways.