Is purple fountain grass a perennial or annual??

by Cheryl
(Wichita, KS, USA)

Is Purple Fountain Grass a perennial or annual in Southern Kansas? I'm in zone 6. I planted some last spring and they grew into large beautiful plants. In the fall, I cut them back amost to the ground. I don't see any sign of life yet and am wondering if they're coming back, or if I just need to get new ones in the ground. Thanks so much!

Doug says - in USDA 6, this plant (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum') is a tender annual. Expect it to live reliably in a USDA 8 - or even 9 and sometimes Zone 7 but in a USDA 6, I think you'd have to have a *very* mild winter to bring it back. My .02 - get planting new ones.