Pennisetum 'Princess'

To make up for tempting southern gardeners with Japanese Blood Grass they can't grow, here's yet another gorgeous grass that's not hardy in colder zones, but would be fine down South. This fountain grass, Pennisetum 'Princess', was introduced by Athens Select, as a plant that can take the long, hot, humid summers of the South. I grow it in a pot and over-winter it dormant, under my basement potting table. So mine starts from scratch each spring, but since it only grows about 2-3' tall, it catches up quickly. I like it because it looks like a Phormium, but airier. There's also a large variety called 'Prince'. The maroon foliage intensifies as the summer heats up.