Pennisetum alopecuroides NAFRAY (syn. Cenchrus purpurascens) - Compact Swamp Foxtail Grass
- Mature size: 50-70cm tall / wide
- Recommended spacing: 40-60cm apart
- Ideal growing conditions: Full Sun - Part shade.
- Growth rate: Moderate.
Uses
Perfect for garden borders and edges, mass plantings, native and low-maintenance landscapes, mixed containers, rockeries, prairie or cottage gardens, and as ornamental grass features.
Noteworthy
A compact ornamental Australian native cultivar grass with soft, arching foliage and attractive flower plumes; one of the smaller, easier-to-place Pennisetum varieties.
Tolerant
Heat, drought and a variety of well-drained soil types once established; suited to both coastal and inland plantings.
Colour/Growth form
Forms a neat, dense clump of fine green foliage that softens into graceful arches. In warmer months, it produces creamy to straw-coloured, foxtail-like flower spikes that add seasonal texture and movement to plantings.
What is Pennisetum NAFRAY?
Pennisetum ‘NAFRAY', commonly known as Foxtail or Swamp Foxtail Grass, is an ornamental, drought-tolerant native grass valued for its tidy habit and decorative flowering plumes. Its compact size and soft, arching foliage make it an excellent choice for adding texture, form and natural movement to garden beds, borders and mixed plant schemes.
How to care for Pennisetum NAFRAY
Plant in a sunny to partly shaded position with well-drained soil. Water regularly after planting and reduce frequency once established; this grass performs well with periodic watering in dry spells. Trim the foliage back annually in late winter or early spring to promote fresh new growth and maintain a neat habit.
