Northern Pampas Grass

Towering Ravennae Grass For Dramatic Height

Soaring Ravennae Grass (Tripidium ravennae) is a statuesque, show-stopping ornamental grass with silvery plumes and sword-like gray-green foliage! Also called Hardy Pampas Grass or Erianthus, this fast-growing perennial grass sends up 12-foot flower stalks in late summer, topped with silvery-purple plumes that fade to tan, waving elegantly into winter.

Ravennae Grass is not considered invasive in most regions! It forms tidy clumps rather than spreading aggressively by rhizomes like true Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana). However, it can self-seed in some areas with disturbed soil or unmanaged sites, so deadheading spent plumes before they disperse is a smart garden practice if you're concerned about reseeding. It is not listed as invasive by the USDA or most state-level invasive species councils. Nature Hills utilizes Plant Sentry™ to ensure we remain compliant with all state agricultural regulations.

This warm-season grass grows in tall, upright clumps up to 9-12 feet tall when in bloom and spreads 6-8 feet wide. The stiff, arching foliage emerges green and matures to a blue-gray tone that turns golden-tan in fall. In late summer to early fall, towering flower stalks shoot skyward, each topped with showy, feathery plumes. These persist through winter, catching frost and snow, adding stunning texture and movement to your landscape even in the off-season.

Key Features

Once used for weaving and thatching, this grass has found favor as a landscaping marvel for its structure and resilience. A relative of Sugarcane and other tall grasses, it’s ideal for northern gardeners who want tropical vibes without tropical climate needs.

• Giant ornamental grass with upright 9-12 foot plumes
• Gray-green foliage turns golden in fall
• Cold-hardy alternative to Pampas Grass
• Drought and heat-tolerant once established
• Pest and deer resistant
• Zones 5-9

Landscaping Uses

Ravennae Grass brings drama, height, and movement to the garden with its enormous height and feathery texture. With its fountain-like form, upright habit, and autumn interest, it’s the perfect choice for bold garden accents, windbreaks, and screening. Read more about landscaping with this perennial grass.

• Use as a living privacy hedge or windbreak
• Anchor the back of large perennial borders
• Add drama to a xeriscape, Rock Garden, or waterwise garden
• Great for mass plantings
• Striking vertical contrast for foundation plantings or fence lines
• Seasonal privacy screens and property definition
• Adds motion to the landscape or fall sensory garden

Care & Maintenance

Native to southern Europe and western Asia, Ravennae Grass is a hardy alternative to Pampas Grass for colder zones. This herbaceous perennial is a rugged, heat-loving, cold-hardy grass that thrives in full sun and a wide range of soils. It's deer resistant, heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant once established, and thrives in USDA growing zones 5 through 9.

• Planting Time: Spring or early fall. Read how to plant it here!
• Sun Requirements: Full sun is best
• Soil Requirements: Adaptable to most soils, including clay and sandy sites, but prefers well-drained soil
• Moisture Needs: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established (use the Finger Test to check soil moisture)
• Arborist Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch deep layer of arborist mulch around the base
• Fertilization Needs: Apply balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring; compost improves vigor
• Ornamental Grass Pruning Info: Cut back to 6-12 inches in late winter before new growth emerges. Rake out the interior of debris.
• Division Info: Divide clumps in early spring every 3-5 years to rejuvenate and control spread
• Special Perks/Growing Tips:
• Cold-hardy and heat-tolerant
• Resists pests and deer
• Tolerates clay, urban pollution, and road salt

Reach New Heights with Ravennae Grass

If your garden needs instant height and a bold vertical punch, Ravennae Grass is your go-to. With its waving plumes and tough-as-nails attitude, it's as eye-catching as it is adaptable. Order your Ravennae Grass now and start sculpting your garden with sky-high structure from naturehills.com!