Chionochloa rubra

A clump-forming, evergreen grass growing to 1m tall and 0.5m wide.

This tough tussock grass is upright to weeping in habit, with long narrow grass-like green red to copper tinged leaves. Flowers are brown and grass-like and are produced from February to April.

Its flowing form is impressive in exposed windy sites and it grows well in wet to dry, and low fertility soils, however, does best in cool wet sites.

Easy plants to maintain as they require little ongoing maintenance. When plantings get too large, more can be easily grown from seed. They often seed out in the garden anyway. Any seedlings can be carefully transplanted to their new site once they are large enough to handle easily. A general-purpose fertiliser can be applied each spring to boost growth. Older plantings may need refreshing with age. Mulch around plants annually to help with weed suppression and conserve moisture.

Generally trouble-free.