Looks more like a Fountain Grass--maybe Hamelin.

yes, it is a pennisteum, and very probably Pennisteum alopecuroides 'Hameln'. The seed heads do tend to turn a grayish color as they age.

Oh nice. Do you know what country this grass is native to. I looked it up and all it says is east asia and australia and does not say any specific countries. Is it native to Japan by any chance??

Its not P. 'Hameln'. Looks like either P. 'Red Head' or Moudry.

Well we all agree it is a Fountain Grass, maybe take a sample to your local nursery and see what they say if you want to know the exact variety.

I don't know about your local nursery, but I wouldn't trust mine to know sassafras from black gum, let alone a grass id.

Actually in our area fountain grass, along with many other grasses are sold in nurseries because it is considered an ornamental, so that is why they should know. @dbarron have you had problems with your nursery? I often find them quite helpful.

I've a 50 yr gardening history, and a BS in horticulture...and I find most nurseries in my area to be unknowledgeable and worst case, full of BS (and not the same as referred to earlier). When I was in college, I worked in one and observed the internal knowledge structure. The owner didn't ever like anyone to say 'I don't know', so people that didn't know were encouraged to make up something.

I have had experience with good general purpose nurseries, but sadly those days are over here (folks retired).

Sorry to hear that, just enjoy your gardening as you know being surrounded by plants, greenery, flowers can be very relaxing. Nurseries are there to sell so I see what you are saying. Like I mentioned the nurseries in my area are always very helpful. Luck of the draw maybe?!

Its always good to know what you are growing. There are so many varieties of fountain grass and they are popular but just knowing its a fountain grass doesn't tell you what it is. Pennisetum Moudry becomes a noxious weed and is listed as invasive in some parts of the country, on the other hand even though it is a Pennisetum too, P. 'Hamelyn' isn't invasive.

The really good nursery's around here have dwindled. Back in the good old days there were people who you knew by name and could trust for accuracy. Nowadays it seems most employees don't know although yes, they are very helpful in assisting you with getting your plants up to the register, helping you find stuff, suggestions, delivery, etc.

Barron, did you ever shop at Moesel's Horthaven on 10th street here in OKC and meet Marjorie Moesel? She was an encyclopedia of knowledge & what a character! Horn's Seed used to be a good place to ask questions too especially about fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides etc but now its gone too along with Satterlee's which was topnotch. Those much missed privately owned small local places had a small loyal staff that knew their stuff or would take the time to find out. The people at Farmer's Market who used to be Ruby's on 10th Street know about the plants & vegetables they sell & our growing conditions but I doubt they'd be much help IDing this grass beyond "its probably some kind of Pennisetum".

Okay, just a little laugh--Ken (the OP) I read your profile and that you work for a botanical garden--they cannot help you? Or is this part of your test??

The OP's last photo looks - at least to my eye - exactly like this photo of 'Hameln' - 'Moudry's seed heads are much darker in color.

The quality of nursery employees must vary a lot from region to region. In my neck of the woods, most nurseries have employees with considerable experience. The last nursery I worked at (and still am associated with as a consultant/designer), nearly all full time employees were Certified Professional Horticulturists (a state certification program with some pretty rigorous training and testing) and many had horticultural degrees well beyond that. They still employ seasonal staff that are just warm bodies to schelpp stuff and water, but the full-time permanent staff is extremely knowledgeable. In fact, every larger independent nursery in my area has an info booth or desk that answers questions regarding plant ID's, is able to diagnose most disease and insect issues and recommend controls and provide a range of horticultural information as needed. All have computers with online access and a full compliment of reference material as well.

plaft, I didn't take the picture from my workplace. I visited a different garden and found this grass and I looked for the staff but nobody was there that day. The place was mostly a reservation where people just come and walk with their dogs and leave so I don't think there are any on-site staff workers there.

Understood, I just thought it was funny in an ironic way. Have a good day.