- Light Requirement is Full Sun
- Height 24-30 Inches
- Width 16-20 Inches
- Use as a thriller when using in containers
- Green & white striped foliage perfect in planters!
Sky Rocket is an annual fountain grass, and in fall you'll be especially taken by its striking texture and movement when a breeze comes along. Beautiful in the landscape, or containers, or both!
Ornamental grasses get less attention than flowering annuals, but not so with Pennisetum Sky Rocket (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’). This pretty fountain grass stands out as a container thriller or landscape plant with green and white striped foliage and pink “flowers” at the end of summer or into fall. The award-winning grass tolerates summer heat and provides fall interest, holding its seed heads for a long time before the plant browns in winter.
A warm-season grass, Pennisetum Sky Rocket is an annual in all but the warmest zones temperatures no lower than 15 degrees). It reaches nearly 30 inches high and 20 inches around. The leaves grow upright and flower plumes appear above the blades, producing a fountain effect. It’s a perfect large container thriller, surrounded by low-growing flowers or grasses. Or place several in the landscape, especially in rock gardens and other natural areas. Line up several pennisetums for a border look along slopes or garden beds.
Graceful Grasses® Sky Rocket Fountain Grass Care
Plant your Pennisetum in full sun in spring after the danger of frost has passed. Place the plant so its root ball is at or slightly above the soil level. The plant requires average soil and watering. If the soil is fairly fertile and drains well, there is no need to add anything to the soil or to fertilize. For container-grown grasses, be sure to avoid watering if the container soil feels wet.
As an annual, your Pennisetum needs little care and no trimming. Gardeners can pull up the grass if it is brown and unattractive after frost or leave it until spring and then pull up and replace it. If growing the grass as a perennial, it is best to trim the grass in mid-to late spring. Gardeners can trim perennial Pennisetum in fall if desired.
Graceful Grasses® Sky Rocket Fountain Grass Spacing
Give container-grown Pennisetum plenty of room to grow, and place low-growing plants only before it to get the full effect of the pretty grass. For group plantings or border effects, space the plants 16 to 20 inches apart.
Graceful Grasses® Sky Rocket Fountain Grass Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11 |
| Flower Color(s): Pink |
| Bloom Period: Mid Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Mid Fall |
| Foliage Color(s) Green |
| Foliage Description: Variegated |
| Light Exposure: Full Sun |
| Height Class: Medium |
| Height: 24-30 Inches |
| Spread: 16-20 Inches |
| Spacing: 16-20 Inches |
| Habit: Upright |
| Watering: Average |
| Drought Tolerant: No |
| Container Role: Thriller |
| Use Types: Container, Landscape, Mass Planting |
| Features: Continuous Bloom or Rebloomer, Foliage Interest, Deadheading Not Necessary |
| Maintenance: Easy |
| Scientific Name: Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' USPP 21,497 |
| Common Name: Graceful Grasses® 'Sky Rocket' Fountain Grass |
| Other Name(s): |
| Plant Type: Annual |
| Brand: Proven Winners |
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Know As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Know As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 1 year old
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Know As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 year old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Know As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 year old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Know As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2-3 year old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Know As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 3-4 year old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.
