Hameln vs purple fountain grass
The big difference is winter: 'Hameln' comes back every year, while purple fountain grass is hardy only to about zone 9 and is grown as an annual almost everywhere else. 'Hameln' is a neat, arching mound with cream bottle-brush plumes from late summer, hardy to about zone 5. Purple fountain grass has burgundy leaves and rose-red plumes from midsummer to frost. It is a sterile hybrid and sets no seed, where 'Hameln' can seed itself in warm climates.
 Dwarf fountain grass 'Hameln'Cenchrus alopecuroides 'Hameln' (formerly Pennisetum) |  Purple fountain grassCenchrus x advena 'Rubrum' (formerly Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum') | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 2½ ft tall, 2½ ft wide | 4 ft tall, 2½ ft wide |
| Plant | 2½ ft apart | 24 in apart |
| Zones | 5 to 9 | 9 to 10 |
| Light | Full sun to part sun | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-drained, average fertility | Well-drained, average fertility |
| Flowers | Late July to mid September; cream | Late June to mid October; red, purple |
| Leaves | Fine, herbaceous | Fine, herbaceous |
| Job in a bed | Specimen | Accent |
| Pets | No toxicity recorded | Not checked |
| Deer | Resistant | No record |
| Native | No | No |
| Spread | Moderate risk | Low risk |
Rows where they differ are marked. Flowering times are for zone 5.
Which to choose
- Choose dwarf fountain grass 'Hameln' for more shade, colder gardens (to zone 5), dry summers and a smaller space (2½ ft against 4 ft).
- Choose purple fountain grass for warmer gardens (to zone 10), a longer show (17 weeks of flower against 9) and more height (4 ft against 2½ ft).
Can they grow together?
Yes: they grow in the same conditions. What purple fountain grass brings beside dwarf fountain grass 'Hameln': in flower together for nine weeks, from late July; tall enough (4 ft) to stand behind it. They share full sun and zone 9.
Read more: all about dwarf fountain grass 'Hameln', and all about purple fountain grass, each with a bed the planner designed around it.