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Melinis nerviglumis

Image of Melinis nerviglumis

James H. Schutte

Family

Poaceae

Botanical Name

Melinis nerviglumis

Plant Common Name

Ruby Grass, Zizka

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

Ruby grass is loved for the rosy-beige seedheads that elegantly dance above the thin, weeping blue-green leaves. It is a tufted, tender perennial grass native to Madagascar and the grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa. In summer it produces shiny, mauve-purple inflorescences (clusters of flowers along the stem tip) that slowly fade to pink and then finally to white as they mature. Foliage is blade-like, bluish gray-green and gracefully curled. Small songbirds will eat the seeds.

Ruby grass is best situated in a full sun location with sandy to average well-draining soils that are moist to slightly dry. This grass is easy to care for and makes makes a wonderful low maintenance, edging plant when planted in large swathes. In cold climates, the clump can be dug up, potted and brought indoors to overwinter, or seeds germinated and planted outdoors after the danger of spring frosts, and will flower later in summer and into early autumn. Ruby grass's inflorescences can be used in floral arrangements, both fresh and dried. Cultivars of varying heights and seed cluster sizes exist, such as 'Pink Crystals' and 'Savannah'.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 8

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    8 - 11

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Grass

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    6"-18" / 15.2cm - 45.7cm (12)

  • Width

    12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm (18)

  • Bloom Time

    Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer

  • Native To

    Africa, Middle Africa, Southern Africa, Madagascar

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Cushion/Mound-forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Purple, Pink, Rose

  • Fruit Color

    White, Light Pink, Tan

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Blue Green, Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Blue Green, Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Blue Green, Gray Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Purple, Gray Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Dried Flower / Everlasting, Bedding Plant, Cutflower, Edging, Mixed Border, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes