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Saccharum ravennae (Ravenna grass)

Other names: Plume grass, Hardy pampas grass, Giant woolly-beard grass, Erianthus ravennae

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Species
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.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
3 m 1.2 m 2-5 years
9 ft 3 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

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.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Mediterranean, Cottage/Informal, City, Low Maintenance, Wallside and trellises, Prairie planting

UK hardiness

H4

USDA zones

Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright, Clump-forming

Native to

Mediterranean, Northern Africa

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Stems can be left for winter effect and cut to the ground in early spring before new growth emerges.

Propagation methods

Seed, Division

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

Protect in winter with dry mulch (in cold areas)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (1)

Saccharum

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Saccharum ravennae
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Saccharum ravennae Ravenna grass
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Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss Saccharum ravennae with other Shoot members

How do I keep this under control?!

Shoot User
633 0
I inherited a backyard full of these. The seeds covered everything last fall and I took a clippers to them just to get at the walkways. Right now they are all dry and awful looking - do I just cut off the dry leaves? The root balls are painfully stubborn to dig out - they've taken over and I've broken a shovel trying to get one out. I can see the new shoots starting to peek out. Any suggestions on controlling these monsters?
Posted: Monday 15th of April 2013 02:14 PM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 01:33 PM

Re: ravenna grass

Kathy N
1037 0
Hi, Katrina,
I guess it all depends on what 'look' you are going for. You could plant other grasses with contrasting forms, colours, and leaf shape. Or, choose robuts perennials that will form large clumps that can hold their own against such a large, bold grass.
Kathy C
Posted: Monday 7th of May 2012 06:40 PM

ravenna grass

Katrina Morris
1037 1
Can anyone advise what would look to mix with a large clump of ravenna grass in a mixed border? Thanks
Posted: Sunday 6th of May 2012 06:40 AM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 01:40 PM
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