If you’re looking for a shrub program with proven garden performance and energizing foliage color, consider growing and selling all the selections from the Rocket Series.
Breeding for this exciting series came out of the Czech Republic. Selections in the series have a unique columnar habit which provides a vertical element in the landscape.
All the plants in the series are hardy to Zone 4. The Rocket Series selections grow between 4 to 5 feet tall and about 1½ feet wide. Each selection is rust resistant and has passed the USDA cereal rust disease trials in Minnesota, having been added to the Federal Register of approved varieties.
Now let’s talk about the Rocket Series' out-of-this-world color. The chartreuse foliage and coral stems of ‘Golden Rocket’ absolutely glow in the landscape.
‘Orange Rocket’ delivers coral-orange new foliage that matures to mid-green. Its small, crimson-red berries do not set viable seed. By fall, the foliage is bright orange-red.
‘Rosy Rocket’ displays amazing color combinations. Fine, young foliage is variegated in coral-pink and burgundy tones held on coral stems. Foliage matures to a deep burgundy.
For the best color, plant this series in full sun, but these plants also will grow contently in partial shade.
In the nursery
• A 1-gallon program finishes in 12 months, depending on region,
from a 2½ inch liner planted in spring.
• A 2-gallon program finishes in 24 months, depending on region,
from a 2½ inch liner planted in spring.
• All plants in the Rocket Series require a license for propagation.
The plants are propagated from semi-ripe softwood cuttings.
• A hard trim at an early age encourages strong basal branching.
In the landscape
• Tight, columnar habit.
• Grows best in full sun to light shade in well-drained soils.
• Multi-season interest and multiple foliage colors throughout the seasons.
• Hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 4 (-20°F).
• Looks just as lovely in a container as they do in the ground.
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