Winter hardy to USDA Zones 8-10. In St. Louis, it is grown as an annual. It is best grown in light, well-drained soils in full sun. It needs consistent moisture, but prefers soils that are slightly on the dry side. Sow seed directly in the garden after last frost date. For earlier bloom, start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date. Set plants out after last frost date. Clumps can be potted up in fall before first frost for overwintering indoors in cool areas with reduced watering. Ripe seed may also be collected for planting the following year.
Native to Africa, ruby grass (pink bubble grass or bristle-leaved red top) is a tropical grass that grows in tufts to 24” tall and 15” wide. It features erect blue-green leaves with panicles of ruby pink summer flowers that slowly fade to white. Flower panicles are covered with silky hairs. Foliage turns purple-red in fall.
Growing in tufts to 24 inches tall, this tropical grass adds a fresh look to sunny borders. Ruby-pink flowers in panicles covered with silky hairs are showy late summer to late fall on stems rising from a clump of erect blue-green leaves. Flowers fade to white over time and the foliage turns reddish-purple in fall. This grass may be grown from seed, and it looks great in containers.
No serious insect or disease problems.
Beds and borders. Mass plantings. Containers. Flower arrangements.
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Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110(314) 577-5100 hours and admission
Butterfly House
Faust Park, 15193 Olive Blvd. Chesterfield, MO 63017(636) 530-0076 hours and admission
Shaw Nature Reserve
Hwy. 100 & I-44 Gray Summit, MO 63039(636) 451-3512 hours and admission