Photo of Pennisetum orientale 'Tall Tails' flower, form by Dancing Oaks Nursery

Photo by Dancing Oaks Nursery

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Pennisetum orientale 'Tall Tails'

Also Known As

  • Giant Fountain Grass

Plant type

perennial, grass / grass like

size

  • H: 4'-5'
  • W: 2'-3'

planting zones

  • 6a-10b

More Options

Pennisetum orientale 'Tall Tails' plant details

Pennisetum orientale 'Tall Tails' is a deciduous perennial grass (or grassy in appearance) with green foliage. In fall and summer pink and tan flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - bright shade and even moisture water. Does well in well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Pennisetum orientale 'Tall Tails'

Plant type: perennial grass (or grassy in appearance)
Plant family: poaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 4 FT - 5 FT - tall
Flowers: pink and tan blooms in fall and summer

GROWING CONDITIONS for Pennisetum orientale 'Tall Tails'

USDA Zones: 6a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - bright shade
Watering frequency: even moisture
Resistant to: deer, heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Vigorous and heat-loving, and much larger than the species, this bushy Pakistani cultivar has a 3 to 4 ft. vaselike clump of green foliage, with wonderfully whitish
Soft pinkish tan plumes up to 10 inches long arch gracefully and sway in the breeze. Stems 4 feet tall. Best with summer water.

Gardening facts about Pennisetum orientale 'Tall Tails' plant

How to Grow Pennisetum orientale 'Tall Tails'

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - bright shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture
  • Soil Needs

    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • pink
    • tan
  • Wildlife

    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • summer
    • fall
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous

Landscape groups by tags

See other plant types of Pennisetum for your garden

aka Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum', Purple Fountain Grass, Rose Fountain Grass

Plant Type

Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

Zones

9a-11

Size

Height: 3'-5'

Width: 2'-3'

  • sun - bright shade
  • regular
Photo of Pennisetum x advena 'Rubrum' flower by carabou
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aka Foxtrot Fountain Grass

Plant Type

Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

Zones

5a-9b

Size

Height: 5'

Width: 4'

  • sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture
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aka Karley Rose Fountain Grass

Plant Type

Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

Zones

6a-9b

Size

Height: 2'-4'

Width: 2'-3'

  • sun - bright shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Pennisetum orientale 'Karley Rose' flower by Hans Mesker
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aka Purple Majesty Millet

Plant Type

Annual / Biennial

Zones

1-11

Size

Height: 3'-5'

Width: 2'-3'

  • sun - bright shade
  • even moisture - low
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aka Fountain Grass

Plant Type

Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like

Zones

6a-9b

Size

Height: 30"-5'

Width: 30"-5'

  • sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Pennisetum alopecuroides flower, form by aehack
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