Family
Poaceae
Botanical Name
CHIONOCHLOA rubra
Plant Common Name
Red Tussock Grass
General Description
A densely leafy evergreen plant, red tussock grass brings a a graceful spreading form with thin, coppery leaves to the landscape. A New Zealand native, it flowers on lightly weeping stems among or fully above the leaves in early summer, with the flowers sparsely spaced on short branches at the top of the flowers stems. It is mostly admired for the color of the leaves, which range from a metallic golden tan to a dramatic coppery red. In winter the leaves tend to be beige at their tips, with coppery tones at their bases.
Red tussock grass should be given full sun in a gritty, fertile, moist soil with good drainage. It tolerates very wet conditions except in winter. Being native to higher elevation regions, it needs a partially shaded spot in hot summer climates. Although evergreen, occasional trimming of the entire clump can be done to rejuvenate plants. It would be lovely planted en masse on a gentle hillside or among broader, dark green or purple-foliaged plants (such as Grevillea and Phormium) to compliment its copper and tan leaves. It would also be showy planted in a rust or dull red colored container.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
7 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 10
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Plant Type
Grass
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m
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Width
3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer
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Native To
New Zealand
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Wet Site, Drought
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Arching/Fountain-shaped
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
Tan
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Fruit Color
Tan
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Tan, Copper, Orange Red
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Red, Green, Copper, Orange Red
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Red, Green, Tan, Copper, Orange Red
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Tan, Copper, Orange Red
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
