Scientific Name: Saccharum ravennae
Common Name: hardy pampas grass, ravenna grass
Family Name: Poaceae
Origin: South America
Hardiness Zone: Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial, Invasive plant, Poales (grass-like)
Mature Size: 2 - 3m x 1.0 - 1.5m (height x width)
Habit: Arching
Form: Vase
Texture: Medium - fine
Landscape Uses: Accent plant, Cut flower or foliage, Perennial border, Screening, Winter interest
Exposure: Full sun
Soil or Media:
Leaves: Grass-like, Alternate, Basal, Leathery, Rugose, Linear, Serrulate
Flowers: Spikelet, White, Purple, Bronze, Aug-Sep
Fruit: Grain (caryopsis), Silver, Oct-Nov, (Persistent)
Key ID Features:
Leaves arching, serrulate, linear, up to 1m long x 2.5cm wide, grayish green with a white midrib, attractive bronzing in the fall; spikelets in purplish-bronze feathery panicles up to 60cm long x 15cm wide; plumes with silky hairs turning to silver-gray in fall and may persist until spring.