Setaria palmifolia - Palm Grass

Setaria palmifolia not only is a spectacular specimen plant it is just fun to touch. Rub towards the middle and the leaves are so rough you get stuck, rub the other way and they are smooth. Setaria palmifolia grows 4-6 feet tall and will tip if there is rain or overhead water and no support. I love the linear ridges on the leaves as the light angle gets low. The Palm Grass while drought tolerant, likes some water, and will look better for it. The Palm Grass will generate some seedlings to spread around or dispatch. This is one ornamental grass that can catch the slightest breeze and add movement to the garden. I cut the Palm Grass back to about 6" tall as Winter turns towards Spring. Setaria palmifolia is Winter hardy down into the low 20°s F.