Ruby Ribbons Grass

Ruby Red Foliage
Airy Summer Plumes
Upright Garden Texture

Ruby Ribbons Grass

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

Ruby Ribbons Grass

Ruby Ribbons Grass is a colorful upright switchgrass valued for red-tinted blades, airy late-season plumes, and graceful movement. This ornamental grass adds vertical texture, warm seasonal color, and native-inspired style to sunny borders, meadow gardens, and mixed perennial plantings.

Why choose Ruby Ribbons Grass?

Choose Ruby Ribbons Grass for its bold ruby foliage highlights, narrow upright habit, and easy-care performance in sunny spaces. Its fine-textured blades create motion in the garden, while late-summer flower panicles add a soft, cloudlike effect above the clump. This warm-season grass works beautifully as an accent, mass planting, container feature, or naturalistic border plant, offering structure from summer through winter.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Panicum virgatum ‘Ruby Ribbons’
Common Name: Ruby Ribbons Grass
Plant Type: Perennial ornamental grass
Growth Habit: Upright, clumping, warm-season grass

Ruby Ribbons Grass Additional Information

Ruby Ribbons Grass develops its best color in full sun, with green blades taking on rich red to ruby tones as the season progresses. In late summer, fine-textured flower panicles rise above the foliage, adding height, softness, and movement. The flowers mature into seed heads that can remain attractive into fall and winter, especially when left standing for seasonal texture.

As a deciduous ornamental grass, Ruby Ribbons Grass goes dormant in winter and can be cut back in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. It is well suited for perennial borders, sunny foundation beds, rain gardens with good drainage, meadow-style plantings, and large containers. Once established, switchgrass is generally adaptable and low maintenance, though growth and color are best with adequate sunlight and consistent moisture during establishment.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant Ruby Ribbons Grass in full sun and well-drained soil. Set the crown level with the surrounding soil, backfill firmly, and water thoroughly after planting to settle the roots.

2. Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish a strong root system. Once established, provide supplemental water during extended dry periods, especially in containers or very sandy soil.

3. Spacing: Space plants about 24 to 36 inches apart, depending on the desired effect. Closer spacing creates a fuller mass planting, while wider spacing highlights each upright clump as an accent.

4. Pruning: Leave stems standing through winter for structure and seasonal texture, then cut back to a few inches above the ground in late winter or early spring before new shoots emerge.

Related Resources

FAQs

How tall does Ruby Ribbons Grass get?
Ruby Ribbons Grass typically grows about 3 to 4 feet tall when in bloom, with a narrow, upright clumping habit that fits well into borders and mixed plantings.
When does Ruby Ribbons Grass bloom?
Ruby Ribbons Grass usually produces airy flower plumes in late summer. The plumes add soft texture above the foliage and can continue providing interest into fall.
Does Ruby Ribbons Grass need full sun?
Yes. Full sun encourages the strongest upright growth and richest ruby-red foliage tones. It can tolerate light shade, but color and form are usually best in bright locations.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Full Sun
Lush Foliage
Flowering

Mature Height	3-10'
Mature Spread	0-5 ft
Growth Rate	Fast, Moderate
Botanical Name	Panicum virgatum 'Ruby Ribbons'
Bloom Time	Early Fall, Late Summer, Mid Summer
Deer Resistant	Usually
Family	Poaceae
Flower Color	Blue/Purple, Pink
Hardiness Zones	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Needs	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Maintenance	Low
Size	#3 Container

Map of the United States with most states shaded green and boundary lines visible.

Growing Zones 4-9 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -30)

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Maintenance	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low