Alphabetical Plant Listing

Chionochloa rubra (Red Tussock Grass)

Red Tussock Grass, Chionochloa conspicua 'Rubra', Danthonia raoulii var. rubra, New Zealand Red Tussock Grass


A New Zealand native, Chionochloa rubra (Red Tussock Grass) is a graceful evergreen perennial grass that forms a dense tussock of elegantly arching, red-tinted to coppery-red, slender leaves. In summer, its lightly weeping stems bear attractive, lax panicles of small, awned spikelets which remain for many weeks. In winter the leaves turn to beige at their tips, with coppery tones at their bases, adding bristling color to the dull winter landscape. Gorgeous, and tough as nails, Chionochloa rubra is a very easy perennial to grow. 

  • The beautiful arching lines of Red Tussock Grass help create magnificent and elegantly mobile combinations in the landscape. Highly versatile, it is perfect for borders where this grass will easily combine with other plants, cottage gardens, or prairie plantings
  • Won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Growing easily in an open mound about 4 ft. tall and wide (120 cm), it enjoys full sun to part shade in moist, light, fertile, well-drained soils. Needs only occasional watering during dry weather. Drought and wet soils tolerant. Will not tolerate excessive winter wetness.
  • Red Tussock Grass is pest-free, disease free, requires very little care and provides year-round interest
  • Cut back old, flowered stems at the bases in early winter.

Buy Chionochloa rubra (Red Tussock Grass)

Requirements

Hardiness 7 – 10
Heat Zones 1 – 7
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spread 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spacing 48" (120cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 7 – 10
Heat Zones 1 – 7
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spread 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spacing 48" (120cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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Chionochloa rubra (Red Tussock Grass)

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