
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
Panicum virgatum Ruby Ribbons™ is a spectacular red form of switchgrass. It first emerges with soft blue-green foliage in the spring, which matures to a deep burgundy color. Late summer, sprays of purple flowers soar above the foliage and develop into red, airy seed heads. The foliage deepens to a coppery-bronze color in the fall, giving this grass lots of seasonal interest. This gorgeous selection will not disappoint!
Ruby Ribbons has a narrow, upright form that reaches 4 – 5 feet high and 2 – 3 feet across. It is a warm-season grass that puts on most of its growth during the warm summer months. It adapts easily to a wide range of soil types and can even be used in a rain garden. This grass is resistant to drought, salt, and deer. Plant it in drifts at the back of a meadow or prairie garden, or try a single specimen to contrast broad-textured plants.
Ruby Ribbons™ Switch Grass Care
This switchgrass puts on the best color in full sun, but it can also handle part shade. It prefers alkaline soil and is not particular about soil texture or moisture levels, although the soil must drain well. It does not need to be fertilized and will flop in overly rich soil. Apply a thick layer of compost around the base to conserve moisture.
Cut this grass to the ground in late winter or early spring to make room for new growth. It requires no special care in the winter.
Ruby Ribbons™ Switch Grass Spacing
To plant a group of this grass, space individual plants approximately 2.5 feet apart on center, staggering planting rows. This grass can also be grown in a frost-proof container at least 20 inches in diameter with large drainage holes.
Ruby Ribbons™ Switch Grass Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 8 |
Plant Type: |
Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 4 - 5 Feet |
Mature Spread: 2 - 3 Feet |
Spacing: 2 - 3 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): Purple, Red |
Flower Description: Blue-Green |
Bloom Period: Summer |
Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
Foliage Color(s): Blue |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: Drought |
Attracts: Birds |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Containers, Mass Planting, Specimen or Focal Point, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance |
Brand: |
Common Name: Ruby Ribbons™ Switch Grass |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: PANICUM VIRGATUM `RUBY RIBBONS` |
- SKU:
- 1231003430-pc
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 31th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!