1 / 3

Key characteristics

Family: Poaceae
Height: 24–36 inches
Width: 18–30 inches
Flower color: Greenish-cream
Foliage color: Green, turning golden-yellow in fall
Bloom time: Midsummer
Light: Full sun
Water: Dry to average moisture; drought-tolerant once established
Maintenance: Low; cut back in early spring before new growth emerges
Growing zone: USDA zones 5–9
Wildlife: Attracts songbirds; deer-resistant

Perennials

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'

Hameln Dwarf Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' is a compact ornamental grass that blooms from mid to late summer. It produces soft, greenish-cream flower panicles that arch gracefully above the foliage, adding a delicate touch to garden landscapes. Originating from Asia and Australia, this cultivar has been selected for its reduced size and refined habit, making it suitable for smaller gardens and various landscape applications.

The plant's finely textured, mid-green leaves form a dense clump that transitions to golden-yellow in the fall before fading to beige, providing visual interest throughout multiple seasons.

Light

Full sun

Water

Dry to average moisture; drought-tolerant once established

Bloom time

Midsummer

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Sun Gardens
Bird Gardens
Waterwise Gardens
Cut Flower Gardens

Companion plants

Garden phlox · Black-eyed Susans · Daylilies · Lavender · Coreopsis · Russian sage

Design tip

The long summer show pairs well with plants that peak earlier, keeping one area interesting for months. Give it open sun and room to fill out, and repeat it in threes or fives so the planting reads as one sweep instead of scattered dots.