Hush Puppy™ Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'TIFT-PA5'

Nature Hills Nursery

Compact Dwarf Fountain Grass with Adorable Pink Bottlebrush Blooms Perfect for Small Spaces
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Grows 2-4 ft Tall, 3-4 ft Wide
Showy Pink Blooms From Late Summer to Early Fall
Deer Resistant, Salt Tolerant

$58⁸⁷

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Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This grass performs best in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct light daily. While it can tolerate partial shade, you will notice fewer of the characteristic smoky-pink plumes and a softer, less upright growth habit.
Soil: It thrives in well-drained soil but is adaptable to most types. If you are dealing with heavy clay, plant the root ball slightly above the soil line or in a mound to prevent the crown from sitting in standing water.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water deeply two or three times a week to help the roots reach deep into the soil. Once established, Hush Puppy is remarkably drought tolerant and usually only needs supplemental water during long dry spells. Inconsistent watering during extreme heat can lead to browned leaf tips or a reduction in late-season blooming.

Pruning Tips

This ornamental grass blooms on new wood, so it needs to be cut back before the spring growth begins. In late winter or very early spring, use sharp shears to cut the entire clump down to about three or four inches above the ground. Think of it like a clean haircut that removes the old, weathered foliage so the fresh green blades have plenty of space and light to emerge.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once in early spring as soon as you see new green shoots starting to poke through the crown. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer season. Excessive nitrogen at that time can trigger a flush of tender growth that will not have enough time to toughen up before the first winter frost arrives.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Deer-resistant, Slopes/Erosion Control, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Container Friendly
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	2-4 ft
Width	3-4 ft
Watering Needs	Low
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Compact, Spreading, Upright
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Fall, Summer
Flower Color	Pink
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Grass
Botanical Name	Pennisetum alopecuroides 'TIFT-PA5'
Species	alopecuroides
Cultivar	TIFT-PA5
Class	Poales
Does Not Ship To	AK, AZ, HI, ID, MT, PR

Adorable Pink Blooms Hush Puppy™ Fountain Grass!

Spikey Pinkish Bottlebrush Blooms
Rich-Green Fountain of Arching Blades
Vigorous Growth & Dwarf Form
Warm-Season Perennial Grass
Easy Care & Low Maintenance
Deer, Heat, & Humidity Resistant
Containers, Erosion Control and Dried Décor!

Adorable Hush Puppy™ Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hush Puppy') features upright spikey-soft bottlebrush blooms in pinkish-tan.

The rich-green arching blades are slender and fine-textured, adding fantastic motion and sound to the landscape with their graceful, flowing presence. The space-saving size and tidy growth mean any sized sun garden can enjoy these darling plants!

Tight clumps of neat growth only reach 3 feet tall, while the blooms persist on the plant to provide four-season interest. Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 5 to 9, there is little that fazes these low-maintenance ornamental perennial grasses!

How to Use Hush Puppy™ Fountain Grass In The Landscape

Petite and perfect for containers and planters, Hush Puppy™ is also a tidy border plant! Fillers and thrillers for all garden styles! A wonderful seasonal edging plant, the spikey texture looks fantastic in modern plantings or informal gardens alike!

Cottage and Cutting gardens and your Perennial and mixed-shrub borders look lovely with these fountain grasses adding their graceful touch to Zen spaces. Hardy enough for the Rock Garden, these are darling enough for a Childrens garden! Kids can't resist playing with the fluffy plumes! You will love using these plumes in fresh floral arrangements and in dried décor!

Plant tough ornamental grasses along banks, slopes and hard-to-mow areas for easy-care erosion control, or atop your retaining walls for a graceful topper.

#ProPlantTips For Care

Tolerant of full sun and hot dry sites, Hush Puppy™ is also great in part sun areas. Any well-drained soil type works as long as these warm-season Ornamental grasses do not sit in water.

Hardy in a wide range of growing zones and adaptable to a wide range of conditions, these are deer, heat, and humidity resistant and need little care. Pruning in early spring before you see new growth, cleans up the mounds.

Order your own adorable Hush Puppy™ Fountain Grasses for your own garden this year from Nature Hills Nursery!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hush Puppy Fountain Grass reliably winter hardy in zone 5?

Hush Puppy™ Fountain Grass is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, making it reliably winter hardy in zone 5. As a warm-season perennial grass, it will go dormant in winter and return in spring. Cut back the foliage in late winter before new growth emerges.

How tall and wide does Hush Puppy Fountain Grass grow at maturity?

Hush Puppy Fountain Grass reaches 3 feet tall and wide at maturity, forming tight, neat clumps. This compact size makes it perfect for containers, borders, and smaller gardens where space is limited. Shop at Nature Hills for this dwarf fountain grass that delivers full impact without overwhelming your landscape.

Is Hush Puppy Fountain Grass sterile and non-invasive?

Hush Puppy™ Fountain Grass is a sterile cultivar that won't spread by seed, making it non-invasive. This dwarf Pennisetum stays in neat 3-foot clumps and is safe to plant in zones 5-9 without concerns about aggressive spreading.

What are the sunlight requirements for Hush Puppy Fountain Grass?

Hush Puppy™ Fountain Grass thrives in full sun but also performs well in part sun locations. This heat-tolerant ornamental grass is ideal for hot, dry sites and any well-drained soil. Plant it where it receives at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best bloom production.

What type of soil does Hush Puppy Fountain Grass prefer?

Hush Puppy Fountain Grass thrives in any well-drained soil and tolerates poor conditions exceptionally well. The key requirement is avoiding waterlogged areas where this warm-season perennial might struggle. Plant in full to part sun locations with decent drainage for best results.

Does Hush Puppy Fountain Grass tolerate moist or wet soils and rain gardens?

Hush Puppy Fountain Grass requires well-drained soil and cannot tolerate wet conditions or standing water. This warm-season perennial thrives in full to part sun with dry to average moisture levels. Plant it in raised areas or amend heavy clay soils with compost to ensure proper drainage.

How is Hush Puppy Fountain Grass shipped, and what size are the plants?

Hush Puppy Fountain Grass ships as established potted plants ready for immediate planting. These compact ornamental grasses reach just 3 feet tall at maturity, making them perfect for containers or tight spaces. Plant after your last frost date in zones 5-9 for best establishment.

Is Hush Puppy Fountain Grass deer resistant or pest-free?

Hush Puppy Fountain Grass is deer resistant, making it an excellent choice for gardens where deer browsing is a problem. This ornamental grass is also heat and humidity resistant, thriving in zones 5-9. Plant it in sunny borders or containers where deer typically graze for best protection.

Hush Puppy™ Fountain Grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'TIFT-PA5'