Purple Fountain Grass

Dear Howland5,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and insights on wintering Purple Fountain Grass in zone 7! Your observations align well with what many gardeners find—in colder zones, it’s often treated as a tender perennial or a marginal perennial that benefits greatly from careful overwintering. Mulching thoroughly is indeed a fantastic way to protect the roots from freezing temperatures, and as you mentioned, allowing some old growth to remain can help shield new shoots in spring.

If you haven't already, you might also consider wrapping the base with burlap or using a frost cloth on especially harsh nights to provide extra insulation. This often improves survival chances in borderline climates. We love hearing about gardeners embracing the challenge of nurturing such gorgeous grasses through the winter—the graceful purple plumes add wonderful texture to any landscape come spring and summer!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out for more tips or if you need any seasonal reminders. Wishing you lots of success and joy as you watch your Purple Fountain Grass flourish in the seasons ahead.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Dear Less,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear how much you’re enjoying your Purple Fountain Grass throughout the growing season. You’re absolutely right—while this beautiful ornamental grass does die back during the winter, the good news is that by cutting it back to about 3-4 inches from the ground in late winter or early spring, it will indeed regrow and come back lush and vibrant each year. Be sure to remove any old foliage before new shoots appear to give it the best start.

If you're interested, applying a layer of mulch before the first frost can help protect the roots through colder months, especially if you live in areas with harsher winters. Feel free to reach out if you'd like some tailored advice depending on your local climate, or any other tips to keep nurturing your garden through the seasons!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Dear Lin,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Purple Fountain Grass! We’re delighted to hear it has become your favorite spot by the stream bed and that it’s proving easy to grow. Its graceful movement and rich color truly bring special charm to any garden space.

As you plan for next summer, consider planting a few more below-serving the stream edges or mixing in complementary plants like Blue Fescue or Spike Cyperus for added texture and color variation. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like tips on soil care or watering schedules to keep your plants looking their best throughout the seasons.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Dear Nomoregrass,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Purple Fountain Grass! We're thrilled to hear you loved its size and beautiful colors well into the fall—it truly is a stunning annual when cared for thoughtfully. Your mulching and pruning approach this past winter sounds spot-on, especially when the ground didn't freeze too deeply by you.

We’re sorry to hear your red fountain grass didn’t survive, though. Even with proper mulching, some grasses can be sensitive to local conditions like soil drainage or temperature swings. If you’d like to give it another try, mulching responsibly and perhaps adding a bit of fern mulch or leaf compost to improve soil insulation and moisture retention might help it overwinter better. Additionally, planting in a slightly sheltered spot can protect grasses from harsh winds and frost damage. If needed, our plant experts are happy to help you find varieties proven to be especially resilient in your NJ climate!

Thank you again for your thoughtful review—it helps our gardening community grow stronger with every shared experience.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Hello Edam33,

Thank you so much for reaching out and for your thoughtful question about overwintering Purple Fountain Grass. We truly appreciate your interest in nurturing this beautiful plant through the colder months!

Regarding your garage that doesn’t freeze, our experience has shown that even in non-freezing garages, Purple Fountain Grass typically struggles to survive the winter indoors due to lack of adequate light and cold dormancy conditions. However, if your garage has some natural light and temperatures stay consistently cool (above freezing but below about 50°F), you might try gradually acclimating the plant to those conditions, ensuring it’s kept slightly drier to prevent rot. Some gardeners find success in cutting the grass back in late fall, storing it where it’s just cool and well-ventilated, then potting it again in spring.

Additionally, bringing the plant indoors to a bright, sunny window or supplementing with grow lights during winter could bolster its chances if your garage environment is not conducive. For other ideas and specific care tips, our Plant Library online offers some tailored advice, or feel free to contact us for personalised recommendations.

Thanks again for your dedication to preserving your Purple Fountain Grass — every gardener’s question helps us all grow wiser together!

To greener days ahead,
Nature Hills Customer Care & Plant Support