For those of you that are bored with the gold old purple fountain grass Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' comes a new twist on this classic; Pennisetum setaceum 'Fireworks', a pink variegated selection of 'Rubrum' discovered by Ron Strasko of Creek Hill Nursery in Pennsylvania. Fireworks pictured here in the Corralitos trial garden, is generally slower growing and notably more compact than traditional rubrum. In full sun the pink variegation shows nicely against dark burgundy foliage. 'Fireworks' still retains the mauve colored flowers. Pennisetum 'Fireworks' works great as a container focal point. Monrovia will be growing it for 2010 and it should be readily available as stock supply is strong this season.
3 comments:
I bought one this May. The dark pink and green foliage color really sold me. As the season progressed I feel like it lost some of its pink, turning more red, and it seems to be more like the Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum'. Maybe I need to have the two to compare. All in all it did perform well through out the season and it still going strong.
I have seen some reverted plant material in stores. The newest stock shows the variegation clearly through out the whole plant. You may have a 'Rubrum' if the plant you bought was starting to revert. The variety has been re-selected and growers should have plants true to type for 2010.
I will keep my eyes open for one this coming summer. thanks
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