Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Foxxy Red’ is an ornamental fountain grass known for its unique visual appeal and easy care. Its graceful form and striking color enhance various garden styles, adding texture, movement, and rich color throughout multiple seasons.
Understanding Foxxy Red Fountain Grass
‘Foxxy Red’ is a specific cultivar of Pennisetum alopecuroides, commonly known as fountain grass. This ornamental grass typically reaches a mature height and spread of about 2 to 3 feet, forming a neat, mounding clump. Its most distinguishing feature is the reddish-bronze foliage that emerges in spring, gradually deepening in color as the season progresses. Complementing the foliage, fluffy, bottlebrush-like plumes appear in late summer and autumn, adding another layer of visual interest. As a perennial, ‘Foxxy Red’ returns, providing consistent beauty.
Planting and Growing Foxxy Red
Light Requirements
‘Foxxy Red’ thrives best in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Exposure to ample sunlight develops its characteristic reddish-bronze foliage and promotes abundant flowering. While it can tolerate partial shade, less light may result in greener foliage and fewer, less prominent plumes. Selecting a sunny location is important for maximizing its ornamental qualities.
Soil Preferences
This fountain grass prefers well-draining soil to prevent root rot and ensure healthy growth. It adapts to a range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, or clay soils, as long as they do not retain excessive moisture. ‘Foxxy Red’ is tolerant of various pH levels but performs optimally in neutral to slightly acidic conditions, typically between 6.0 and 7.0. Amending heavy clay soils with organic matter can improve drainage and aeration.
Watering Needs
Once established, ‘Foxxy Red’ exhibits good drought tolerance, making it a relatively low-maintenance plant. Newly planted specimens require consistent moisture to help their root systems develop. During the first growing season, water regularly, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Established plants benefit from supplemental watering during prolonged dry periods, particularly in hot summer months, to maintain vigor.
Temperature and Hardiness
‘Foxxy Red’ fountain grass is reliably hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. In colder zones, providing a layer of mulch around the base can offer additional winter protection.
Fertilizing
‘Foxxy Red’ fountain grass has low nutritional requirements and does not demand heavy fertilization. In most garden soils, established plants thrive without supplemental feeding. If the soil is particularly poor or sandy, a light application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring can be beneficial. Over-fertilization can lead to excessive leafy growth at the expense of flower production and potentially weaken the plant.
Pruning and Seasonal Care
The optimal time to prune ‘Foxxy Red’ is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins to emerge. Using sharp shears, cut back the entire plant to about 4 to 6 inches above the ground. This removes old, dormant foliage, which can appear brown and tattered, and encourages a fresh flush of vibrant new growth. It also helps prevent disease.
Leaving the ornamental plumes and foliage intact through winter can provide visual interest, especially when dusted with snow or frost. In colder zones, the old foliage can also offer some insulation to the crown of the plant against harsh winter conditions. Once spring approaches and the threat of severe frost has passed, perform the cutback to make way for new shoots. Over time, large, mature clumps may benefit from division every few years to rejuvenate the plant and manage its size. This is typically done in the spring, carefully separating a portion of the root ball and replanting it.
Landscape Design with Foxxy Red
‘Foxxy Red’ excels as a specimen plant, drawing attention to its unique form and color when planted individually. It also performs well in mass plantings, creating a flowing, textural display. Placing it along borders or pathways can define garden spaces and introduce movement with its swaying plumes. Its moderate size makes it suitable for container plantings, where it can serve as a striking focal point on patios or balconies. ‘Foxxy Red’ complements modern, naturalistic, and cottage garden styles, pairing well with plants such as coneflowers, sedums, or salvias, which offer contrasting colors and forms.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
One frequent problem with ‘Foxxy Red’ is root rot, primarily caused by overly wet or poorly draining soil. Symptoms include wilting, yellowing leaves, and a general decline in plant vigor. Ensuring the planting site has excellent drainage and avoiding overwatering are the best preventative measures. If root rot is suspected, improving drainage and reducing watering can sometimes help the plant recover.
A lack of vigor or poor color development often points to insufficient sunlight. If the foliage appears greener than expected or the plant produces few plumes, relocating it to a sunnier spot can rectify the issue. While ‘Foxxy Red’ is largely resistant to most pests and diseases, occasional issues like rust or mealybugs might occur in stressed plants. These can be managed by ensuring the plant receives adequate light, water, and air circulation, or with targeted organic treatments.