Chionochloa rubra – Red Tussock

Common Names: Red Tussock, Red Tussock Grass
Family: Poaceae
Origin: New Zealand native
Plant Type: Evergreen ornamental tussock grass

Overview

Chionochloa rubra, commonly known as Red Tussock, is a distinctive New Zealand native tussock valued for its warm bronze, copper and reddish foliage. It forms a strong upright clump with long, fine leaves that arch gracefully outwards, creating movement, texture and colour in the garden throughout the year.

Red Tussock is particularly effective in naturalistic native planting, open landscapes, slopes and larger gardens where its flowing form can be appreciated. Hardy and relatively low maintenance once established, it is a useful choice for exposed sites and colder parts of New Zealand.

Key Features

Foliage: Fine, arching foliage in tawny bronze to coppery-red tones, with greener colouring often visible towards the base of the plant.

Flowers / Seed Heads: Fine, airy flowering stems rise above the foliage during summer, adding extra height and movement without overpowering the plant's attractive tussock form.

Form & Habit: Develops into a dense, upright fountain-shaped tussock, with foliage gradually arching outwards as the plant matures.

Growth Rate: Moderate. Plants steadily develop into substantial clumps when established in suitable conditions.

Cultural & Ecological Value: A distinctive New Zealand native grass that brings the character of our natural tussock landscapes into residential, rural and restoration-style plantings.

Mature Size

Allow enough room for Red Tussock to develop its natural arching form rather than crowding it between more vigorous shrubs.

Ideal Growing Conditions

For the strongest foliage colour and best-defined tussock form, plant in an open position with good light.

Landscaping & Garden Uses

• Native gardens – A strong structural grass for predominantly New Zealand native planting.
• Feature planting – The copper-red foliage provides year-round colour without relying on flowers.
• Mass planting – Particularly effective planted in repeated groups across larger landscapes.
• Slopes and banks – Its arching foliage softens hard or open landscapes.
• Rural gardens – Fits naturally into larger properties and informal landscape designs.
• Exposed gardens – Useful where wind and colder conditions limit more delicate ornamental plants.
• Texture and contrast – Combines well with green, silver and darker-foliaged native shrubs.
• Naturalistic planting – Ideal for creating a tussockland-inspired New Zealand landscape.

Care & Maintenance

Watering: Water regularly during establishment, particularly during dry weather. Once established, Red Tussock generally requires much less attention.

Pruning: Usually best allowed to retain its natural form. Older or damaged foliage can be tidied when required rather than routinely cutting the entire plant back.

Feeding: Generally requires little supplementary feeding in ordinary garden conditions. Avoid excessive fertiliser, which can encourage overly soft growth.

Weed Control: Keep the area around young plants reasonably weed-free while they establish so they are not competing with grass and other vigorous weeds.

Additional Tips

Give Chionochloa rubra sufficient space from paths, driveways and neighbouring plants. Its mature foliage arches well beyond the centre of the tussock, and allowing this natural spread produces a much better-looking plant.

For larger landscapes, try planting Red Tussock in loose, irregular groups rather than perfectly even rows. This helps create a more natural appearance reminiscent of New Zealand's open tussock landscapes.

Fun Fact / Botanical Insight

The name Chionochloa comes from Greek words associated with snow and grass, an appropriate name for a genus strongly associated with New Zealand's cooler mountain, subalpine and open tussock landscapes. Chionochloa rubra is particularly recognisable for the warm reddish-bronze colouring that gives Red Tussock its common name.

Why Choose Chionochloa rubra?

Red Tussock combines distinctive year-round colour, graceful movement and a strongly New Zealand character in one hardy plant. Its coppery-red foliage provides contrast among green native shrubs, while its substantial fountain-like form gives gardens structure without the density of a large shrub.

For exposed landscapes, native gardens, rural properties or anyone wanting to recreate the feel of New Zealand's natural tussock country, Chionochloa rubra – Red Tussock is an excellent long-term landscape plant.

Pot Size: These are our standard size in 7cm square pots.