Culture
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.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Melinis nerviglumis, commonly called ruby grass, pink bubble grass or bristle-leaved red top, is native to Africa. It is a tropical grass that grows in tufts to 24” tall and 15” wide and 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.
The genus name is derived from the Greek meline meaning millet.
'Savannah' is a showy ornamental grass that forms small clumps of soft blue-green foliage that turns red in fall. Its 3 to 4 in. long, fluffy plumes of ruby pink flowers slowly fade to creamy white. The blooms carry well into fall and can be used for fresh or dried flowers. It grows 1/2 to 1 ft. tall and 3/4 to 1 ft. wide with the blooms about 1 ft. above the foliage.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Beds and borders. Mass plantings. Containers. Flower arrangements.