hi, just wondering is this plant/grass annual or perennial? I'm confused because from what i gathered in the net, it says that it's an annual, while the nursey guy said that it's perennial. Hopefully it's perennial because it cost me 4x $9AUD...it would make a striking feature near my driveway and in a black pot. If this is annual, how do i collect seeds from this grass and how can i tell it from "seed" and dead material? ur help is appreciated. In case u don't know what this grass is: http://www.em.ca/garden/gra_pennisetum_setaceum_rubrum1.html Btw, i just planted 2 of this grass in a pot, leaving 10cm apart...will this form of planting going to "kill" this grass?
This is a perennial grass, it's just not hardy for anyone colder than a Zone 9 so it is mostly sold as an annual. Here's a link to a thread discussing seed viability: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/grasses/msg08215302462.html?12
It's a hardy grass that you must keep inside during winter. You will not get seeds from the plant. The only one method of propagation is dividing. I tried also to do cuttings in water during summer. One plant got roots but when repotting died...
What's you climate like? If it's mild enough, it might make it through the winter like a perennial grass. It is hardy to USDA Zone 9, which means it likely can survive slightly below freezing temperatures if planted in the ground. Don't take my word for it - it's too cold where I am. I grow it as an annual container plant. I did try to overwinter it a couple times. In spite of above freezing tempertures, none made it through the winter. In retrospect, I might over watered them.
