Nature Flowers with long flowering period
Nafray, available from Diversity Plant Propagation , only grows to 60% of the height of a normal pennisetum alopecuroides.
Nafray’s average maximum height is approximately 80- 90cm. Average maximum height of normal Pennisetum is 150cm.
Nafray has a good spread of around 80cm, thus when planted at a rate of 10- 15 per square metre, it will normally out compete weeds. Nafray also has a better winter colour than the common form.
Because of its finer leaf, and less evaporation, Nafray is more drought tolerant. This plant is tough. (Diversity Plant Propagation still recommends planting it in 50-75mm of coarse grade mulch).
Nafray has a beautiful cream purple seed head, which flowers for a long period of the year from December to May. Only frows to headlight level.
The roads department should love the ultimate height of this plant. This species has a low seed viability making it non invasive. Due to its lower seed viability one must grow this plant from division.
By using the Pennisetum alopecuroides PA300 Nafray there is no chance of a nursery selling the African weed Pennisetum setcaceum.
nfortunately this has become a weed all over Australia as it is often confused with the local and harmless species.
14-Jul-2008