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Tripidium ravennae

Previously known as:

  • Erianthus ravennae
  • Saccharum ravennae
Phonetic Spelling
ra-VEN-ay-ee
Description

Sometimes called Hardy Pampas Grass, Ravenna Grass or Plume Grass has a majestic feathery look that adds drama to a garden. The rustling sound of the foliage when caressed by breezes can be quite calming.  It has one inch wide slightly pink leaves which at first turn silver, before becoming tinged with red in the fall. Large plumy inflorescence in late summer on stalks well above the foliage and are excellent in fresh or dried flower arrangements. Slight pink at first then becomes silver which becomes red tinged in fall. It remains attractive into winter.

This drought tolerant grass is best grown in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun as it will not thrive in moist and/or fertile soils where it usually needs support.   Its coarse to medium texture and an upright to open habit make it an excellent screen or specimen plant.  Cut it back to the ground in late winter to early spring as the center of the clump tends to die out.  It may self-seed under optimum growing conditions. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Leaves have sharp edges so wear gloves when handling this plant.  It can be quite aggressive and difficult to remove.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#winter interest#ornamental grass#aggressive#coarse#tall#self-seeding#screening#dried arrangements#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#winter interest#ornamental grass#aggressive#coarse#tall#self-seeding#screening#dried arrangements#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Tripidium
    Species:
    ravennae
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Medit. to Central Asia and Myanmar, Sahara to Arabian Peninsula
    Play Value:
    Colorful
    Screening
    Sound
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Open
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Cream/Tan
    Gray/Silver
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Winter
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Lofty, silvery-white to beige plumes in late summer. Emerge pink and become red-tinged in fall. Good for dry arrangements.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Orange
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Orange
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    One inch wide gray green leaves which turn orange, bronze, and purple in fall. Good winter interest. Leaves have sharp edges.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Drought
    Pollution
    Problems:
    Weedy