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Saccharum ravennae (Ravenna grass)
1 hour care
per year
per year
3m
Max height
Max height
1.2m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Saccharum ravennae
Other names
Ravenna grass, Plume grass, Hardy pampas grass, Giant woolly-beard grass, Erianthus ravennae
Genus
Saccharum Saccharum
Species
S. ravennae - S. ravennae is a vigorous, densely tufted, perennial grass forming a large clump of arching, linear, grey-green leaves with central white stripes, becoming purple-flushed in autumn. Erect stems bear dense, upright panicles of softly hairy, silver-grey to purple flower spikes.
Saccharum ravennae is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Flower
Silvery-grey, Purple in Summer; Purple, Silvery-grey in Autumn
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Stems can be left for winter effect and cut to the ground in early spring before new growth emerges.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Saccharum ravennae (Ravenna grass) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 1.2m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Prairie planting, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Shelter from cold, drying winds. Apply dry mulch or horticultural fleece in autumn to protect crowns from extreme cold. Flowers more reliably after a hot summer. Water regularly in dry periods.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Saccharum ravennae
Other names
Ravenna grass, Plume grass, Hardy pampas grass, Giant woolly-beard grass, Erianthus ravennae
Genus
Saccharum Saccharum
Species
S. ravennae - S. ravennae is a vigorous, densely tufted, perennial grass forming a large clump of arching, linear, grey-green leaves with central white stripes, becoming purple-flushed in autumn. Erect stems bear dense, upright panicles of softly hairy, silver-grey to purple flower spikes.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
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Colour
Flower
Silvery-grey, Purple in Summer; Purple, Silvery-grey in Autumn
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Stems can be left for winter effect and cut to the ground in early spring before new growth emerges.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Saccharum ravennae (Ravenna grass) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 1.2m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Prairie planting, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Shelter from cold, drying winds. Apply dry mulch or horticultural fleece in autumn to protect crowns from extreme cold. Flowers more reliably after a hot summer. Water regularly in dry periods.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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