Melinis nerviglumis
Ruby Grass
Description
A small semi-evergreen cool-season grass from S. Africa that forms a tidy 1 foot tall clump. It has blue-green foliage that turns purplish-red in the fall and showy pink flowers that rise a foot above the foliage in the spring and summer with spent flowers still attractive into winter. Best in full sun with regular water in a well-drained soil but tolerates considerable periods without irrigation and near seaside conditions.
Sun
Full
Water
Medium
Growth Rate
Moderate
Soil Type
Sandy, Loam, Rocky
Soil Condition
Average, Well-drained
Soil pH
Neutral
Adverse Factors
n/a
Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.