Pennisetum alopecuroides (PA400) PURPLE LEA®

Common Name:
Purple Lea® Fountain Grass

Description:
Purple Lea® is a cultivated variety of the Australian native grass, Pennisetum alopecuroides, known for its elegant, feathery purple flower heads that provide a striking contrast against its lush green foliage. This clump-forming, ornamental grass features gracefully arching leaves and produces showy, bottlebrush-like flower spikes from late summer through autumn. Well-suited to Melbourne's climate, Purple Lea® thrives in full sun to part shade and adapts to a range of soil types, from sandy to heavy clay. It is both frost and drought tolerant once established, making it a resilient choice for various garden settings. Regular watering during the establishment phase (approximately 8-13 weeks) is beneficial, after which it requires minimal maintenance. An annual trim to one-third of its size in late autumn to winter is recommended to encourage fresh growth.

Form:

• Clumping Grass

Mature Size:

• Height: 0.8 to 0.9 metres
• Width: 0.8 to 0.9 metres

Aspect:

• Full Sun
• Part Shade

Flowering:

• Flowers in Summer
• Flowers in Autumn

Flower Colour:

• Purple

Key Attributes:

• Australian native
• Drought tolerant
• Frost tolerant
• Suitable for mass plantings
• Suitable for borders and rockeries
• Attracts native birds

Toxicity:

• Non-toxic to humans and pets

Companion Plants:

• Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos spp.)
• Lomandra species
• Dianella species
• Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
• Salvia species

Note: Purple Lea® was formerly known as Pennisetum alopecuroides 'PA400' but has been reclassified to Cenchrus purpurascens 'PA400' to distinguish it from the invasive African variety, Pennisetum setaceum.