Getting Pennisetum through the winter?
I’m not a big fan of grasses so I’m afraid I don’t know much about them, but I do like Pennisetum. I’ve had them dying in the ground before, winters can be very cold here, as low as -8c, but not usually wet. I plan to keep them in pots in a free draining potting mix this time, so I can bring them in. The only really frost-free place I have is a very dimly lit garage, just one tiny window. Are they OK without light? Do you just forget about them or do they need some moisture?
Any tips about care in general but especially overwintering would be gratefully received, as I have just bought several large specimens of this one, Pennisetum advena ‘Rubrum’:


Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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Pennisetum orientale, alopecuroides, and macrourum all hardy with good drainage outside here.. I've even lifted and divided in autumn and replanted these ok but they will just sit there and not do a thing, no root development.. so Spring is best for that.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/comment/2313189#Comment_2313189
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Good to know it keels over at touch of frost, I will get in early and keep it slightly damp. My garage has some low level heat as it houses the boiler, so that should help.
They are fairly large plants, but I won’t try to split them as the size was the appeal.
It was RHS that said it was hardy to -5m and only needed a cold greenhouse. I do find their info often doesn’t match reality, so thank goodness for you guys 😊
Either that - you'll need to buy/build a little greenhouse. That'll get the tongues wagging even more
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...