Plant Finder

Other Names:  Ribbon Lily, Reineckea ovata

Description:

An unusual evergreen groundcover for the shade garden; grass-like arching foliage with a rich green color forms a nice mat with time; pink, fragrant flowers amongst the foliage emerge on dark pink spikes in summer

Ornamental Features

Ribbon Grass features subtle spikes of fragrant shell pink star-shaped flowers with white overtones dangling from the stems from late spring to mid summer, which emerge from distinctive red flower buds. Its attractive glossy grassy leaves remain forest green in color throughout the year. It produces red berries from late summer to early fall.

Landscape Attributes

Ribbon Grass is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial grass with a shapely form and gracefully arching stems. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Ribbon Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Groundcover
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Ribbon Grass will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. This plant should not require much in the way of fertilizing once established, although it may appreciate a shot of general-purpose fertilizer from time to time early in the growing season. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.