Pennisetum spathiolatum
Pennisetum spathiolatum, 20% Treatment, April 2022.
Summary
South Coast Research & Extension Center (South Coast REC/SCREC) is located in Irvine California, this site has a sandy loam soil and plants are irrigated with reclaimed water. More information about the field sites is located in the Nuts & Bolts section.
Slender Veldt Grass is a large clumping grass that grows tall, with wiry flower stalks that have fluffy spikes of tan flowers growing at the tips from the late spring until late summer. Throughout the trial, the grass clump grew in a uniform, spherical pattern. Its rough, green blades sometimes had leaf tip burn though this did not affect the overall appearance of the plant. The peak aesthetic performance of this plant was in June. It had numerous vertical flower stalks shooting out of the large grass clumps. After this bloom and into the late summer and autumn, these flower stalks withered away and the green blades of grass browned and the leaf tip burn became a bit more prevalent but did not detract from the overall appearance of the plant. After analyzing the data for the Slender Veldt Grass this plant was identified as high performing on the low water treatment and was designated a Blue Ribbon™ Winner in WUCOLS Region 3.
Slender Veldt Grass is a medium to large-sized circular, clumping grass. The green rough blades of grass begin at the center of the plant and arch outwards. At the start of the trial, the plants were small and without flower stalks. As the trial progressed, flower stalks sprouted from the center. At their peak in July, nearly all of these plants were covered in flower stalks though the plant remained smaller than those grown in full sun. The tips of each stalk had tan, fluffy flowers. After their peak, the seed heads fell off, leaving behind bare, dry flower stalks. In the shade, the leaves on all the treatments remained green in color, unlike the full sun field where browning occurred. After analyzing the data for Slender Veldt Grass, we recommend irrigating on low water in WUCOLS region 3.
Pennisetum spathiolatum, 20% Treatment, October 2022.
Basic Info
| Submitted by: | Irvine Company |
| Site(s): | SCREC |
| Trial Exposure: | Sun & Shade |
| Year evaluated: | 2022 |
| Height & Width (after 2 years): | 4.9’-5.3’ x 3.0’-3.9’ - Sun 5.0’-5.5’ x 2.3’-2.6’ -Shade |
| Reported Height & Width (at maturity): | 1-2' x 1-2' |
| WUCOLS plant type: | G |
| Water Needs & WUCOLS Region: | Low - Region 3- Sun Low - Region 3-Shade |
| Mean Overall Appearance rating (1-5 Scale, 5 is highest) | 4.0 - Sun 3.9 -Shade |
| Flowering Months: | April - October- Sun April - October-Shade |
Growth and Quality Data
Click Here for Complete Data Set - Sun
Click Here for Complete Data Set -Shade
Pennisetum spathiolatum, 20% Treatment, July 2022.