African feather grass

African feather grass: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Sturdy, upright clump about 1.2 m tall and 80 cm wide that spreads by rhizomes.

Leaves

Narrow, tough, light green to green; they fade and wither in winter.

Spikes

Long, slender, cylindrical, cream-coloured spikes, from July to September.

Seed

Small grains in the spikes.

Roots

Creeping rhizomes with which the plant spreads, sometimes vigorously.

Flowering: July–September · Plants: April–May · Pruning: March–April

Why grow it?

• Long, slender, cream-coloured spikes from July to September, beautiful against a dark background.
• Sturdy and tall: an eye-catcher in a wide border or at the edge of a lawn.
• Drought-tolerant and robust; it also grows on moister soil.
• The spikes are good in a bouquet and, when dry, still graceful in winter.
• A fast-growing grass that gives volume in a single season.

African feather grass: where does it grow best?

• Full sun for the best flowering; part shade is possible but it flowers less.
• Ordinary garden soil: sand, loam or clay, neutral to chalky; well drained in winter.
• Normal to moist; it tolerates drought, and also a damp summer.
• Allow 80 cm to 1 m of space; put it in a wide border or with a root barrier.

Light

Sun

Soil type

Sand, loam or clay

Acidity

Neutral or chalky

Moisture

Normal or wet

Size

1.2 m tall, 0.8 m wide

Hardiness

Half hardy (to -12 °C): protect it in harsh winters

Goes well with

• Coneflower: Big purple and pink flowers against the long, pale spikes.
• Sneezeweed: Warm autumn yellows and oranges next to the cream-coloured grass.
• Sage: Violet flower spikes that contrast well with the plumes.
• Stonecrop: Fleshy leaves and pink flower heads in late summer.

African feather grass: when and how to plant it?

Plant in April–May.

1. Plant in April–May, when the soil is warming up and frost is no longer expected.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and mix in some compost.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as in its pot and firm the soil.
4. Put it at least 80 cm from other plants, or in a bottomless bucket, or with a root barrier 40–60 cm deep.
5. Water in generously straight away and spread a thin layer of mulch around the base.

Care

Water

In the first year water weekly in dry weather. After that it copes, unless the summer is very dry.

Feeding

A spadeful of compost in spring is enough; too much feed gives floppy foliage.

Mulching

A layer of leaf mould in spring keeps the soil moist and suppresses weeds.

Runners

In spring cut off rhizomes outside the clump and remove them to keep the plant in check.

Spikes

Leave them for winter interest; cut them off in March.

Tip: Plant it with a root barrier or in a bottomless bucket: that keeps the running rhizomes under control and lets you enjoy the spikes.

African feather grass: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March–April.

When: Late March to April, before the new leaves come through.

How:

• Cut the old foliage and spikes back to 10–15 cm above the ground.
• Do this before the new shoots come through, so that you do not damage them.
• Wear gloves: the leaf edges can be sharp.

Caution: It spreads by rhizomes and can run wild. Only plant it where it has room or restrict it with a root barrier or a bottomless bucket, and remove runners outside the clump.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Division

In April–May, cut the clump into pieces with a sharp spade, each with rhizome and roots. Replant at once and water.

Runners

In spring, separate a rooted runner outside the clump and plant it in a pot or in a new spot.

African feather grass: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −12 °C: protect in harsh winters.

• Hardy down to about −12 °C: in most Belgian winters it survives without protection.
• In a hard, wet winter: lay a layer of leaves or compost over the crown and leave the old foliage as protection.
• In a pot: stand it against a wall and wrap the pot in hessian so the roots do not freeze.

Diseases and pests

• Running wild: The rhizomes travel through the border. Plant with a root barrier or in a bottomless bucket; cut off runners.
• Frost damage: In a hard, wet winter the crown can freeze. Protect with leaves or mulch and choose a well-drained spot.
• Few spikes: Caused by too much shade or too much feed. Choose a sunny spot and feed little.
• Rust: Orange powder on the leaves in damp weather. Cut off affected foliage and water at the base rather than over the leaves.

Through the year

• March: Cut back to 10–15 cm. Apply compost.
• April: Plant or divide. Cut off runners.
• May: Plant. Mulch.
• June: Water in dry spells. Check for runners.
• July: Spikes appear.
• August: Flowering. Cut spikes for a bouquet.
• September: Flowering. Lovely against the light.
• November: Leave the spikes as winter interest.
• December: Rest. Cover the crown in hard frost.

Did you know?

• The slender, upright spikes look like thin bottle brushes.
• Botanists have placed the genus Pennisetum within Cenchrus, so you may meet the same plant under both names.
• In parts of Australia it is notorious as a rampant weed.