Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Rocket')
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Rocket' is a striking Fountain grass offering arching foliage and unique red-grey seed heads from August to October.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Rocket’, commonly known as Fountain grass, is a fantastic warm-season, clump-forming perennial celebrated for its textural appeal and dramatic summer bloom. This cultivar stands out within the larger group of Pennisetum alopecuroides due to its compact stature and the highly desirable, thick, fluffy red-grey seed heads it produces late in the season. Gardeners value this ornamental grass for the vertical movement and contrasting color it brings to structured landscapes.
Native to East Asian hillsides, Fountain grass adapts well to various conditions, provided it receives adequate light. While it prefers full sun for best flowering performance, Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Rocket’ tolerates light afternoon shade. Its narrow green foliage offers excellent year-round structure, transitioning to golden tones in the fall before fading to beige, often remaining appealing well into winter.
The arching habit, reminiscent of water spraying from a fountain, explains the common name perfectly. Utilizing Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Rocket’ adds dynamic texture near foundations or as specimen plantings. Despite its low maintenance profile, gardeners in colder zones must treat it carefully for reliable overwintering.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Poaceae
- Plant Type: Ornamental grass
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2.5-3 ft
- Spread: 2-2.5 ft
- Bloom Time: August to October
- Bloom Description: Red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Rocket’ performs best when planted in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. It establishes easily in average soils that are medium to wet, although it possesses good drought tolerance once its root system is fully developed. Ensure the planting location receives full sun for the most prolific flowering of its signature red plumes; excessive shade can severely limit bloom set.
Watering should be consistent, meeting its medium water needs, especially during establishment periods in the first growing season. Fertilizing is generally unnecessary unless the soil is extremely poor. Routine maintenance is minimal; the key task is a hard prune in late winter. Cut all the previous year’s foliage back to the ground just before new shoots begin to emerge in spring.
Be aware that while this cultivar is generally low maintenance, it can self-seed aggressively in optimal conditions, potentially becoming weedy. For gardeners situated near the marginal edge of USDA Zone 5, site Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Rocket’ in a protected location to enhance winter survival rates, as hard freezes can cause dieback.
Landscape Uses
The ornamental value of Fountain grass lies in its ability to provide texture, color, and movement. Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Rocket’ functions excellently as an upright accent in perennial borders or massed plantings for a cohesive, grassy sweep. Its relatively modest height (2.5 to 3 feet) makes it suitable for the middle or front of a border where taller grasses might overpower neighboring plants.
This versatile grass also thrives near water features, such as the edges of ponds or streams, due to its preference for medium to wet soil conditions. Furthermore, its clumping nature and root structure make it an effective choice for stabilizing slopes against erosion. Consider pairing the vibrant red plumes of Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Rocket’ with broadleaf perennials or plants that offer contrasting cool blues and purples.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Pennisetum alopecuroides, commonly called fountain grass, is a warm season, clump-forming grass native to grassy hillsides, roadsides, and meadows in East Asia. Features narrow, medium to deep green leaves that turn golden yellow in the fall before fading to beige. Showy, silvery to pinkish-white, bristly, bottle brush-like flower spikes arch outward from the clump in late summer like water spraying from a fountain. The cultivar ‘Red Rocket’ specifically offers a thick, fluffy red-grey seed heads, and a shorter habit than many other fountain grass selections.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Erosion
Potential Problems
This variety of Fountain grass generally experiences few serious insect or disease issues. The primary cultural concern is its potential to self-seed aggressively, behaving somewhat like an annual if conditions are right for seed viability. To manage spread, remove spent flower heads before they shatter completely, or select a site where self-seeding is not problematic. Deadheading spent blooms is usually not necessary for aesthetic reasons as the seed heads persist attractively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Fountain grass suitable for?
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Rocket’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9, though protection may be required in the colder end of that range.
How large does Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Rocket’ grow?
This ornamental grass typically reaches a height between 2.5 and 3 feet tall and spreads moderately, usually resulting in a clump 2 to 2.5 feet wide.
When does Fountain grass bloom?
This selection blooms relatively late, producing its striking flower spikes from August right through October.
What sun exposure does Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Rocket’ need?
For the best performance and abundant red plumes, this plant needs full sun, although it can tolerate conditions classified as part shade.
Conclusion
Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Rocket’ provides exceptional late-season interest through its texture and unique red coloration, making it a low-maintenance staple in the garden. If you seek reliable vertical accent and movement, this Fountain grass is an excellent choice to incorporate into your design. Ensure you confirm your local hardiness zone compatibility before planting this year.
Companion Planting
When selecting neighbors for Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Rocket’, consider plants that contrast its fine texture or offer brighter summer blooms. Because Fountain grass appreciates medium to wet soil, pair it with other moisture-tolerant perennials such as Astilbe, Ligularia, or moisture-loving Salvias. If using it near a pond or water garden, Caltha palustris (Marsh Marigold) works well early in the season, providing a height difference as the grass reaches its mature size later in summer.
Another effective strategy is planting it alongside broad-leaved plants like Hostas (in shadier spots) or Siberian Iris, which offer complementary wide leaf shapes against the narrow blades of the grass. This textural pairing enhances visual interest throughout the growing season, maximizing the impact of the Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Rocket’ plumes in early fall.
Design Ideas for Textural Contrast
The fine, airy nature of Fountain grass excels when placed near plants with bold, coarse foliage. For modern or structured gardens, place ‘Red Rocket’ near architectural plants like Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ or ornamental onions (Allium), noting that the Alliums will fade before the grass reaches its peak display. The arching habit of the foliage breaks up rigid lines effectively.
Use Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Red Rocket’ to soften the edges of hardscaping, such as retaining walls or pathway borders. Its ability to handle some moisture also allows it to act as a graceful transition plant between a manicured lawn edge and a moist border, guiding the eye naturally through the landscape design.
