Vertigo grass has the blues after hard freeze
December 29, 2016
‘Vertigo’ pennisetum is singing the blues beautifully after three nights of hard freezes (mid 20s F) before Christmas. While other plants just look bleached and sad (variegated flax lily, I’m looking at you), this towering, dark-leaved grass still looks pretty, even though it’s now dormant.
The TerraTrellis sculpture behind it echoes those purply blues.
I welcome your comments; please scroll to the end of this post to leave one. If you’re reading this in a subscription email, click here to visit Digging and find the comment box at the end of each post.
All material © 2006-2016 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
That grass is gorgeous. I wish it could be grown here. I guess I could and call it an annual. I have never seen it around here before.
Before I acquired this ‘Vertigo’ as a trial plant from Proven Winners, I was growing purple fountain grass every year as an annual. It’s worth it for a long season of interest, and the purple fountain grass has the advantage of gorgeous seedheads in the fall, which Vertigo doesn’t have (although it makes up for it with bolder leaf color). —Pam
Oh nice! Mine just looks completely bleached.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I did take this photo just before Xmas. Looking out the back window right now at a different Vertigo, I see that it’s bleached of color. I’ll have to take another look at the front one pictured here to see if it’s still holding onto this beautiful color. —Pam
Just dormant? Have you had this one come back from the mid 20’s? In my experience it’s now toast. As much time as I’ve given it to reappear I usually end up digging it out in July.
You have a point. I haven’t had this one long enough to know if it’ll come back from a hard freeze. Last winter was so mild it hardly went dormant. I shall report again in the spring! —Pam
It’s lovely to find these treasures in the garden after winter has swept in. I’m not a fan of such cold temperatures so I’m grateful that they don’t last long in our region, but changes in weather does making exploring the garden fun.
Yes, I agree. I do like the cold, but I’m talking Texas-level cold, not Minnesota. 😉 —Pam
That color hardly looks real! If only more plants were enhanced by a hard freeze like this, instead of being like the variegated flax lily. I wouldn’t be surprised if it survives a hard freeze in your garden where it didn’t in Loree’s garden at similar temperatures. Our winter rains can make a big, negative difference in hardiness.
I hope it does. I’m sad to report that a few more days have robbed the grass of this beautiful color. It’s mostly straw now. I’ll have to wait until next spring to see that rich purple again. —Pam
I am curious if your Pennisetum Vertigo has returned this spring? If not, and you are looking for a perennial purple Pennisetum, I suggest First Knight! I am in Fort Worth, and planted one last spring, and wow did it take off! It grew to nearly 6′ tall and is a real show-stopper! Ordered online from Santa Rosa Gardens. It is hardy to zone 7, and I was anxious to see if it would survive our winter, and it has! There are bits of green stalks coming up now in mid- March and they eventually will turn a deep deep dark purple. It doesn’t seem to have spread or become invasive, and does not flower.
I took your advice and planted Mexican oregano nearby as well as Mexican Bush Sage, and a Henry Duelberg salvia, really beautiful! I could send you a picture of mine if you email me.
Hi Donna. Yes, my ‘Vertigo’ grasses are returning nicely. I’ve seen ‘First Knight’ too, and it’s a stunner. I’m glad to hear it’s hardy even in zone 7! And also, how cool that you added those purple and lavender perennials next to yours. I’d love to see a photo. Care to post it on my Facebook page so others can see it too? —Pam
Thanks Pam, I just added two photos on FB. So glad yours are returning! Vertigo looks more civilized than First Knight, I love it, and have the space for it, but wow it got to be about 4 ft wide by 5.5 ft tall! It took a bit of work to cut down with electric hedge trimmers, but is totally worth it. I love your site, and all your stunning pictures! It is really hard to get good pictures of a garden.
Thank you, Donna! And wow, that ‘First Knight’ of yours is a beauty, and so big. It looks wonderful with your blue and purple-red perennials. —Pam