Species fountain grass
elongated, feathery, gray cobs, with long, slender, shiny, green stems

fountain grass

Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Rocket'

Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Rocket') is a deciduous perennial grass. It is ideal for adding color and texture to your garden. Grown for its soft, airy and arching foliage, it’s an excellent choice for garden beds or containers. This ornamental grass grows to a height of about two to three feet, with a wide spread by mid-summer. It bears bright red-bronze color foliage throughout the season, turning to rich shades of pink or purple in fall. Fountain grass is deer-resistant and drought tolerant, and in addition to its striking foliage, it produces a pollen-like flower from mid-summer to late fall. It is a great addition to any garden!

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 9

Flowers:

Silvery to pinkish-white Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Acidic, Well-drained

Fruits:

red,brown Fruits In Autumn Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,red

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Fountain grass should be watered on a weekly basis. Water the plant deeply and allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry before watering again. Under most conditions, it is best to give a deep watering every 7-10 days. During prolonged hot, dry spells, increased watering may be necessary, depending on how quickly the soil dries. Avoid over-watering the grass as too much water can promote root rot. In general, fountain grass should be watered until the soil is moist, but not soggy.

sunlight

Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Rocket') grows best in full sun, which means it should receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. This species of grass will tolerate partial shade, but it is likely to not bloom as prolifically as it would in full sunlight. When grown in partial shade, it may also become taller or get thin and floppy. When planting fountain grass, ensure that it is exposed to full sun for most of the day, preferably in the morning or early afternoon.

pruning

Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Rocket') should be pruned in the springtime, as soon as new growth starts to emerge. This generally occurs in mid-April or early May. To prune, use a sharp pair of shears and remove old, dead stems, or seed heads. There should not be a need to prune more than a third of the foliage at a given time. Following this spring pruning, it can be beneficial to give the plant a light trim in the summer if needed.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Fountain grass typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Rocket' is in August and September.

Starts Flowering

Fountain grass typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Red Rocket' is in August and September.

Hardiness Map