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PlantFiles: Ruby Grass, Rose Natal Grass, Natal Redtop
Melinis repens

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Family: Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee) (Info)
Genus: Melinis (ME-lin-iss) (Info)
Species: repens (REE-penz) (Info)

Synonym:Rhynchelytrum repens
Synonym:Rhynchelytrum roseum
Synonym:Saccharum repens
Synonym:Tricholaena repens
Synonym:Tricholaena rosea

3 members have or want this plant for trade.

Category:
Annuals
Ornamental Grasses and Bamboo

Height:
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)

Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun

Danger:
Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Color:
Pale Pink
Pink
Rose/Mauve
Magenta (Pink-Purple)

Bloom Time:
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Late Fall/Early Winter
Mid Winter

Foliage:
Blue-Green

Other details:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Soil pH requirements:
Unknown - Tell us

Patent Information:
Unknown - Tell us

Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow after last frost

Seed Collecting:
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds

Click thumbnail
to view:
By jermainiac

Thumbnail #1 of Melinis repens by jermainiac

By kviolette

By palmbob

By Monocromatico

By ineedacupoftea

Profile:

2 positives
No neutrals
1 negative

Gardeners' Notes:

Rating	Author	Comment
Positive	aprilwillis	On Apr 11, 2006, aprilwillis from Missouri City, TX (Zone 9a) wrote: I have had Ruby Grass Pink Crystals for several years and it doesn't seem to reseed here. I love this grass & here in our awful clay it is not at all invasive. I have a hard time finding it locally.
Negative	xyris	On Oct 12, 2003, xyris from Sebring, FL (Zone 9b) wrote: Note that Melinis repens (formerly known as Rhynchelytrum repens) is an invasive weed of dry sandy soils in central Florida, occurring in both disturbed and natural areas. Here it is called "Natal Grass", after its region of origin. It is a weed in my sandy soil garden in Sebring, Florida, as well as competing with rare plants in nearby areas of longleaf pine sandhills and Florida scrub.
Positive	jermainiac	On Oct 11, 2003, jermainiac from Seattle, WA (Zone 8a) wrote: Variety of ruby grass sold in Southern California. Grass is soft and flowers softer. Have not yet had luck with reseeding.

Regional...

This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:

Irvine, California
Ellenton, Florida
Sebring, Florida
Brenham, Texas

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