Erianthus ravennae (Hardy Pampas Grass)

Hardy Pampas Grass is a spectacular ornamental grass prized for its towering size, graceful foliage, and showy, silky plumes. Long, narrow green leaves form a substantial upright clump, creating a bold architectural presence in the landscape. As temperatures cool in fall, the foliage develops beautiful bronze-red tones, extending its seasonal interest well beyond summer.

In early fall, enormous flower stalks rise above the foliage and produce soft, silvery-white to purplish-bronze plumes. These feathery blooms persist into winter, providing beautiful movement and texture even after much of the garden has gone dormant. Its impressive size makes Erianthus ravennae especially useful as a specimen plant, dramatic backdrop, seasonal screen, or windbreak.

Height: 8–10 feet; flower stalks may rise taller
Width: 4–6 feet
Habit: Upright, Clumping
Exposure: Full Sun
Foliage: Green, developing bronze-red fall color
USDA Zones: 5–9

Why You'll Love It:

• Impressive Size: Towering foliage and flower stalks create an incredible architectural statement.
• Silky Fall Plumes: Large, feathery plumes add beautiful texture from early fall into winter.
• Beautiful Fall Color: Green foliage develops warm bronze-red tones as temperatures cool.
• Excellent Screening Plant: Plant in groups to create a tall seasonal screen or windbreak.
• Tough & Adaptable: Heat tolerant, waterwise once established, deer resistant, and tolerant of urban conditions and road salt.

Whether planted alone as a dramatic focal point or grouped together for an impressive living screen, Hardy Pampas Grass brings tremendous height, movement, and four-season texture to the landscape.

Hardy Pampas Grass Basic Care: Easy

Watering: Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry, particularly during the first growing season. Once established, Hardy Pampas Grass is relatively drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional deep watering during prolonged hot, dry conditions.

Light: Plant in full sun for the strongest growth, best flowering, and sturdy upright stems.

Soil/Drainage: Adaptable to a variety of soils but performs best in well-draining soil. Avoid locations that remain consistently soggy, particularly during winter.

Temperature/Hardiness: Hardy in approximately USDA Zones 5–9 and well suited to areas with hot summers and cold winters.

Feeding: Generally requires little supplemental fertilizer. Apply compost or a light application of balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring if additional nutrients are needed.

Pruning: Leave the dried foliage and plumes standing through winter for seasonal interest. Cut the entire clump back to approximately 6–12 inches above the ground in late winter or early spring before fresh growth begins. Wear gloves and long sleeves when pruning, as the leaf edges can be sharp.

General Tips: Give Hardy Pampas Grass plenty of room to reach its mature size. It works especially well as a large specimen, backdrop, screen, or windbreak. You can also cut the tall, silky flower plumes and use them in fresh or dried arrangements.

-Plants ship in a grower's pot, fully rooted.
-We ship every Monday and Tuesday (excluding holidays) to avoid weekend delays.
-Our photos show what you can expect, but each plant is unique and may look slightly different upon arrival.
-Minor damage during shipping is entirely normal and should be expected, especially in extreme summer or winter temperatures. Don’t worry—damaged foliage can be trimmed away and will not affect the plant's root system or overall health.
-Hold off on watering if the soil is still moist, and wait 2-4 weeks before repotting or fertilizing. This patience will help your plant adjust smoothly without going into shock.

Important:

• Report any order issues the day they arrive by emailing info@magicvalleygardens.com with a photo. After 24 hours, no refunds, returns, or exchanges—no exceptions.
• We guarantee plants arrive alive, but can’t promise long-term success given the nature of plants.
• Refunds are handled on a case-by-case basis. Many plants recover with proper care, so refunds may not be needed.