Princess Caroline Fountain Grass is a popular ornamental grass, valued for its striking visual appeal in diverse garden settings. It adds dramatic color and texture to landscapes, making it a favored choice for many gardeners. Its robust nature and eye-catching foliage contribute to its broad appeal.
Understanding Princess Caroline Fountain Grass
Princess Caroline Fountain Grass (Pennisetum purpureum ‘Princess Caroline’) is a hybrid ornamental grass recognized for its vibrant, deep purple-maroon foliage. Its broad leaves arch gracefully, forming a mounding plant 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. This plant’s intense color provides excellent landscape contrast, maintaining its rich hue from summer through frost. Unlike other fountain grasses, ‘Princess Caroline’ is primarily grown for its foliage, as it typically does not produce prominent flower spikes. Its unique pendulous form and robust texture distinguish it.
Planting and Growing Success
Light Requirements
Princess Caroline Fountain Grass thrives in full sun, needing at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and intense foliage color. While it tolerates some partial shade, insufficient sun reduces its characteristic purple hue. Consistent full sun maintains its deep, rich coloration.
Soil Preferences
This grass adapts to various well-drained soil types, including loamy, sandy, or clay. Good drainage prevents waterlogging, which can harm the plant. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, ideally between 5.5 and 7.0. Incorporating organic matter improves soil structure and fertility, supporting vigorous growth.
Watering Schedule
Upon planting, deep watering helps establish the root system. Once established, Princess Caroline Fountain Grass tolerates drought but benefits from regular watering during dry periods. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, as overwatering can lead to root issues. Check the top inch or two of soil for dryness before watering.
Fertilizing Tips
Princess Caroline Fountain Grass is a light feeder, requiring minimal fertilization. Applying a balanced fertilizer in early spring supports lush foliage and vigorous new growth. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nitrogen can cause the foliage to lose its purple coloration and become greener.
Temperature and Hardiness
Princess Caroline Fountain Grass is a perennial in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8a through 10b. North of Zone 8a, it is often grown as an annual due to its limited winter hardiness. In colder climates, where it dies back, a thick layer of dry winter mulch can provide some protection. It can also be grown in containers and brought indoors for overwintering.
Pruning and Maintenance
This ornamental grass is low maintenance. In late winter or early spring, before new growth emerges, cut the foliage back to a few inches above the ground. This removes dead stems and encourages fresh, healthy shoots. Damaged leaves can be removed at any time to maintain the plant’s appearance.
Designing with Princess Caroline Fountain Grass
Princess Caroline Fountain Grass is a versatile plant for landscape design, offering unique color and texture. Its arching, mounding habit makes it suitable as an accent plant or for mass plantings in sunny borders. It creates contrast when positioned alongside brightly colored flowers, leafy shrubs, or trees. This grass is also an excellent choice for containers, where its foliage can serve as a “thriller” in mixed arrangements or as a standalone specimen. Its tolerance for urban pollution expands its design potential.
Addressing Common Challenges
Princess Caroline Fountain Grass is resistant to many common pests and diseases, including deer. However, monitor for aphids and spider mites, especially during dry conditions. A lack of vibrant purple color often stems from insufficient sunlight or over-fertilization. Root rot can occur in consistently soggy or poorly drained soil.