Ruby Grass Seeds - Bristle-Leaved Redtop Ornamental Grass Seed

Ruby Grass Seeds

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Grass Specifications

Season: Perennial

USDA Zones: 7 - 11

Height: 24 inches

Width: 24 inches

Foliage Color: Green

Flower Color: Pink

Growth Rate: Moderate

Fall Color: Shades of brown

Soil Requirement: Well drained

Environment: Full sun to partial shade

Planting Directions

Temperature: 68 - 72F

Average Germ Time: 2 - 3 weeks

Light Required: Yes

Depth: Cover seeds lightly

Sowing Rate: 4 - 6 seeds per plant

Moisture: Keep seeds moist until germination

Plant Spacing: 24 inches

Care & Maintenance: Ruby Grass

Ruby Grass (Rhynchelytrum nerviglumis) - If you like showing ornamental grasses, this one is a great addition for your landscape. Grown readily from Ruby Grass seeds, this spectacular ornamental grass is native to South Africa. Another common name is Bristle-Leaved Redtop Grass, and a synonymous botanical name is Melinis nerviglumis. Ruby Grass has blue-green foliage that turns brown in the fall. Throughout the summer, the grass blooms beautiful 3 - 4 inch ruby-pink blooms that sit 12 inches above the foliage. Melinis nerviglumis Ruby Grass is great for borders, in mixed perennial beds, as well as in mixed containers. It creates a breathtaking display as it moves in the summer breezes.

How To Grow Ruby Grass From Ornamental Grass Seed: It is best to plant Ruby Grass seeds directly outdoors in a prepared seedbed. Start the seeds in the spring once frost danger has passed and lightly cover the ornamental grass seeds after sowing. Ruby Grass plants should be spaced 24 inches apart and should be grown in a sunny part of the garden. The soil type is not overly important but the plant will thrive in a light and well-drained soil. For cooler climates with a late frost season, start the Ruby Grass seeds indoors about 6 - 8 weeks before the last frost is expected and transplant outdoors after frost danger has passed.

Ruby ornamental grass care includes protection from wind, moderate irrigation during the summer, and cutting the plant back onces it turns brown with the onset of cold weather. The plants can be divided in the spring before they are flowering, but it's best to divide while they are actively growing as the plants will transplant better and develop good root systems.

Spectacular Blooming Grass

Ruby grass is so named due to its vivid ruby-pink blooms that appear in the summer. This is an excellent grass to establish to bring a unique appearance to the landscape.

Spectacular Blooming Grass

Vibrant Ornamental Grass

How To Grow

It is best to plant ruby grass directly outdoors in a prepared seedbed. Start the seeds in spring once all danger of frost has passed, and lightly cover the seeds after sowing. These plants should be spaced 24 inches apart to allow for proper expansion, and should be grown in a sunny part of the garden. This grass is not particularly fussy about soil, but will thrive in a medium that is light and well-drained. For cooler climates with a late frost season, start these grass seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost. Transplant outdoors after all frost danger has passed.

  • Environment: full sun to partial shade
  • Sowing rate: 4-6 seeds per plant
  • Soil: light and well-drained
Vibrant Ornamental Grass

How To Grow

Ruby grass is a flowering ornamental grass that grows as a perennial in USDA zones 7 through 11. It has a clumping habit, and features amethyst plumes atop blue-green foliage. This grass serves excellently as a border plant along paths or as a decorative feature in the landscape.

  • Bloom color: pink
  • Foliage color: blue-green
  • Height: 24 inches
  • Width: 24 inches