How do I help my Purple Fountain Grass survive the winter?

by Larissa
(Virtginia)

I live in VA in Zone 7. I just planted a whole lot of purple fountain grass. Is it possible for this plant to survive over the winter in my area? If not, what can I do to ensure their survival?

Doug says this is a USDA zone 9 plant and is usually considered an annual plant. You can do several things (or at least try them with no guarantee of success). ;-)

Deep mulch in the fall after the grass has stopped growing. Do not let it get cold.

Do not overwater in the fall but let it run a little dry to harden it off.

Take it indoors where it gets lots of sunlight and warm temperatures.

Move it about 400 miles straight south.

Trying to save this plant is like trying to save petunias - it can be done but generally speaking, not usually worth the bother. Grow several in the house and split them in the spring if you're really serious about trying. Good luck.

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How do I help my Purple Fountain Grass survive the winter?

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Overwintering Purple Fountain Grass
by: Anonymous

How do you harden off this plant? and what zone do you live?

Purple Fountain Grass
by: Dorothy

I overwinter this every year and it's really not a lot of trouble. I dig them out of the earth, separate them into as many pieces as I want plants from, cut them back severely, pot them up and overwinter them on a sunny windowsill in the house. Water as often as needed but not too much. Once the weather warms up enough to start hardening them off (and this doesn't take long), they can be replantedin the garden.

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