Fireworks fountain grass explodes with a blaze of color

Fireworks fountain grass explodes with color and interest with its flaming variegated foliage and arching foxtail like plumes. The fact that it is happening now in tired summer gardens is even better.

Botanically speaking, Fireworks is Pennisetum setaceum, just like the purple fountain grass with which you may have some familiarity. What you will find different is foliage that is variegated with mid-veins of typical burgundy with glowing hot pink on the margins. You will even see some green closer to the base of the leaves. It is simply incredible.

You'll find descriptors all over the place describing its height and width but most mature plants I see approach 24 to 36 inches with an equal spread. Don't underestimate the power of its fine texture lending a real aesthetic look to your landscape.

Blooming grasses, Fireworks included, add a new dimension in the landscape. While vines add a vertical element, grasses do something few people think about - they move. A garden planted with several species of grasses close together performs a dance in the wind that no choreographer could duplicate. Back and forth they move as the wind dictates, slow and gentle, fast and swirling, mesmerizing everyone who is watching.

You'll find that both foliage and bloom are also incredible when placed in the landscape where they can be backlit from the setting sun or landscape lighting. They glisten like they have a small coat of ice, and speaking of ice, the first frosty kiss of a fall morning makes the Fireworks and other grasses too, the prettiest plants in the landscape. If backlighting is not possible, keep in mind however that a backdrop of typical green foliage will make the Fireworks even more sensational in color.

Like the purple fountain grass, it will be cold hardy to zone 9 and higher meaning most of us will grow it as an annual. To grow yours select a site in full sun, although they will tolerate some afternoon-shade. The bed should be fertile and well drained. Amend the soil if needed with 3 to 4 inches of organic matter and till to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. While preparing the soil, incorporate 2 pounds of a slow release 12-6-6-fertilizer per 100 square feet of bed space.

In the hot summer landscape your choices of partners are unlimited. Blue flowers provide a nice by gaudy contrast, and yellow flowers are awesome. One terrific planting I recently saw included the tough-as-nails Diamond Frost euphorbia with hundreds of tiny white flowers and an althernanthera with similar colored leaves. This time of the year though, we start thinking chrysanthemums and these truly offer designers an opportunity to create a visually stunning fall landscape.

My choice would be to buy Belgian mums that are in tight bud to give you the most-bang for your gardening dollar. Look for pink selections like Padre, Molffetta and the new Akilon Pink that just came out this year.

Though I have been touting the Fireworks fountain grass for the landscape know that they are exceptional as the thriller plant in mixed containers. Partner them with many of the same plants I've already mentioned except this time they are used as fillers and spillers.

One thing is for certain, once you grow Fireworks it will be hard for you to go back to the same old purple fountain grass again.

Norman Winter is vice president for college advancement, Brewton Parker College, Mount Vernon, Ga., and author of the highly acclaimed "Tough-as-Nails Flowers for the South" and his release "Captivating Combinations Color and Style in the Garden". Contact him at nwinter@bpc.edu.