Foliage Follow-Up: April 2011
This month's Foliage Follow-Up is dedicated to 'Ruby Grass' (Melinis nerviglumis), also called 'Ruby Crystals' or 'Pink Crystals' grass.
I purchased small three clumps last year and planted them much too closely to the edge of my front path. As pictured here, they put out a few wan seed heads last spring. They did spread considerably over the summer and fall, then died back in the winter.
I cut them back in late February. If you look closely, you can see the brown cut ends in this photo.
New foliage appeared in March (along with a fourth clump), and seed heads followed in April.
It's stunning when the light hits it just right, at day's end. Can't wait for its "leap" year next spring!
Visit Digging: It All Starts with a Patch of Dirt to see more fantastic foliage.
Words and photos © 2009-2011 Caroline Homer for "The Shovel-Ready Garden". Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
I purchased small three clumps last year and planted them much too closely to the edge of my front path. As pictured here, they put out a few wan seed heads last spring. They did spread considerably over the summer and fall, then died back in the winter.
I cut them back in late February. If you look closely, you can see the brown cut ends in this photo.
New foliage appeared in March (along with a fourth clump), and seed heads followed in April.
It's stunning when the light hits it just right, at day's end. Can't wait for its "leap" year next spring!
Visit Digging: It All Starts with a Patch of Dirt to see more fantastic foliage.
Words and photos © 2009-2011 Caroline Homer for "The Shovel-Ready Garden". Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
That's a very nice looking grass- I can see why you like them. Very attractive - I bet when the breeze catches 'em, you can hardly look away from 'em.
ReplyDeleteThat is lovely! I love the colors.
ReplyDeleteVery nice, Caroline. Boy, I wish mine were performing as well as yours and Rock Rose's. Mine are still just straggly, cut-back brown clumps, with a few random flowering stalks sticking out, like a bad haircut. Maybe they will recover as the weather gets warmer.
ReplyDeleteOooh! It's grown as an annual here in St. Louis, but looks like something I need to find and give a try!
ReplyDelete