Black Mondo Grass Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Moudry'
ABOUT
The plant known as Black Fountain Grass offers a spectacular display of both foliage and flowers. Its leaves are arching and narrow, resembling a fountain's spray with an elegant, cascading effect. These leaves have a deep green color that adds a lush texture to the landscape. As seasons change, the foliage can turn a golden hue, bringing a warm touch to cooler months. During late summer to fall, Black Fountain Grass boasts eye-catching flower spikes. These flower plumes emerge with a smoky purple to black tint, offering a dramatic contrast against the green foliage. The flowers resemble bottlebrushes or fuzzy foxtails, adding both visual and textural interest to the plant's overall presentation. These blooms can sway gently in the breeze, which further enhances their aesthetic appeal in a garden setting. Black Fountain Grass has a rounded, mounding shape, which makes it an attractive choice for a garden feature or as part of a mixed border. The plant can provide both structure and a soft, natural feel wherever it is placed. It exhibits a graceful silhouette and can serve as a compelling focal point or as complementary foliage among other plants.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Poaceae
Synonyms
Black Flowering Fountain Grass, Black Mondo Grass, Fountain Grass
Common names
Cenchrus alopecuroides, Pennisetum compressum, Pennisetum japonicum.
ToxicityTo humans
Fountain Grass is considered non-toxic to humans and is not known to cause serious illness or death if ingested. However, it's always best to avoid eating ornamental plants as they are not intended for human consumption and may cause mild stomach discomfort if ingested in large quantities.
To pets
Fountain Grass is generally recognized as non-toxic to pets, such as cats and dogs. Ingesting this plant should not cause any serious symptoms of poisoning. Nevertheless, it's possible for some pets to have a mild digestive upset if they consume large amounts of the plant. If you notice any unusual signs after your pet has eaten Fountain Grass, it is prudent to consult with a veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Black
Height
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Spread
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Plant type
Grass
Hardiness zones
5-9
Native area
Asia Australia
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Black fountain grass provides aesthetic value to landscapes with its arching, dark purplish-black flower plumes and graceful foliage.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is notably tolerant to drought, making it suitable for dry climates and water-efficient gardens.
- Low Maintenance: This grass requires minimal care beyond the occasional trimming, which can be ideal for gardeners looking for low-maintenance plants.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers visual interest across seasons; green in spring and summer, with flower spikes persisting into fall and foliage turning gold in autumn.
- Wildlife Attraction: Its seeds may serve as food for birds, while the grass itself provides shelter for small wildlife.
- Erosion Control: The fibrous root system can help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes and banks.
- Versatility: Suitable for a range of landscape uses, including mass plantings, borders, and containers.
- Heat Tolerance: It is resistant to heat, which makes it ideal for hot climates where other plants might struggle.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Decorative indoor displays: Cut stems of Fountain Grass can be dried and included in indoor decorative arrangements to add texture and visual interest.
- Water features accent: When planted around garden ponds or streams, Fountain Grass can provide a natural and attractive backdrop that complements water features.
- Erosion control: The robust root system of Fountain Grass can be effective in stabilizing soil on slopes, preventing erosion.
- Container gardening: Fountain Grass can be grown in large containers to decorate patios, balconies, or terraces, where ground planting isn't possible.
- Sound barrier: When planted densely, Fountain Grass can help to dampen noise pollution by absorbing and diffusing sound.
- Craft material: Dried seed heads of Fountain Grass can be used in making crafts such as wreaths and other decorative items.
- Theme gardens: Fountain Grass can be featured in Asian-themed gardens to emulate the look of bamboo with its slender stalks and billowing form.
- Privacy screen: A row of Fountain Grass can create a semi-transparent privacy screen that adds a soft, airy feel to outdoor spaces.
- Textile dye: In some traditional practices, the plant has been used to extract natural dyes for coloring textiles.
- Photography: With its graceful appearance, especially when backlit by sunset or sunrise, Fountain Grass is often used as a photogenic subject in garden photography.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiBlack Fountain Grass is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityBlack Fountain Grass is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Prosperity: The Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Moudry', commonly known as Black Fountain Grass, often symbolizes prosperity due to its lush and abundant seed heads that resemble a fountain of wealth.
- Gracefulness: With its elegant arching form and delicate feathery plumes, Black Fountain Grass is also a symbol of grace and beauty, adding aesthetic appeal wherever it grows.
- Resilience: Black Fountain Grass is known for its toughness and ability to thrive in various conditions, thus symbolizing resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.
- Time: The grass's life cycle from sprouting to maturity and eventual fading away as the seasons change can represent the passage of time and the transient nature of life.
WaterBlack Fountain Grass should be watered deeply once a week, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings. For established plants, a general guideline is to provide about 1 to 1.5 inches of water weekly. If you're using gallons, this equates to roughly 0.5 to 0.75 gallons per square foot per week, depending on soil type and weather conditions. During hot or dry spells, watering frequency should be increased accordingly. It is vital to avoid over-watering as this can lead to root rot.
LightBlack Fountain Grass thrives in full sun, requiring a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for this plant is in an area that receives unfiltered sunlight for most of the day. Partial shade is also tolerable, but it may not flower as profusely.
TemperatureBlack Fountain Grass prefers temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit but can survive in temperatures as low as 20 degrees and as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This range allows the plant to grow actively; however, prolonged exposure to temperatures outside this range can be harmful.
PruningBlack Fountain Grass benefits from pruning to remove old foliage and promote fresh growth. It should be cut back to about 3 to 4 inches in late winter or early spring before the onset of new growth. Annual pruning is sufficient to maintain a tidy appearance and encourage vigorous, healthy shoots.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Black Fountain Grass is well-draining soil with a slight acidic to neutral pH, around 6.0 to 7.0. Incorporate organic matter like compost or peat moss to improve drainage and fertility. Additionally, using a loamy or sandy soil base can help replicate its preferred conditions.
RepottingBlack Fountain Grass is typically planted outdoors and does not require frequent repotting. If grown in containers, repotting can be done every 2-3 years to refresh the soil or if the plant has outgrown its current pot.
Humidity & MistingBlack Fountain Grass is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does not require any specific humidity conditions when grown outdoors. It is adaptable and can thrive in the ambient humidity of its environment.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Use well-draining soil, place in bright indirect light.
Outdoor
Plant in sun, well-draining soil; water regularly.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleBlack Fountain Grass 'Moudry' starts its growth from seed or division early in the spring, with green foliage emerging from the soil. As it matures through late spring and early summer, it develops into a dense, clumping grass with narrow, arching leaves. By mid to late summer, the plant produces bottlebrush-like, dark purple to black inflorescences that stand above the foliage and are highly ornamental. As the growing season progresses into fall, the flowers may fade to a brownish color, and the foliage may develop golden to orange hues before the plant goes dormant in winter. Throughout winter, the dormant grass provides textural interest in the landscape, even as it loses some foliage. Come next spring, the plant may require cutting back before the new growth cycle begins again.
PropogationPropogation time
Late Summer
The most popular method for propagating Fountain Grass 'Moudry', or Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Moudry', is by division. Division should be done in the spring when the grass begins showing signs of new growth. To propagate by division, dig up an established clump of fountain grass and carefully split it into smaller sections, making sure that each division has a share of roots and shoots. The divisions can then be replanted into the garden or into pots, positioned at the same depth at which the original plant was growing. The soil should be kept moist until the new divisions have established themselves, which usually takes a few weeks. This method ensures a high success rate and identical plants to the parent, maintaining any cultivar characteristics such as 'Moudry's' desirable dark seed heads.
