A fountain of fine, rush-like green stems hung with small coral-red tubular flowers for most of the warm season. Despite the name it is not a grass. It is a soft, cascading shrub from Mexico and a reliable hummingbird plant.
Living with it in the Phoenix Valley
Watering
Follow the shrub schedule in our Landscape Care guide. It is fairly drought tolerant once established, but blooms more heavily with regular water in summer. Good drainage keeps it healthy.
Pruning
Cut it back in early spring to clear out frost-damaged or tired stems. Fresh growth fills in quickly. Avoid shearing it into a ball, which hides its fountain shape.
Cold
Frost can brown the stems in a cold winter. Leave the damage in place until the frost season passes, then trim.
How our designers use it
Spilling over edges
Its arching stems look best tumbling over a raised planter, low wall or large pot.
Hummingbird gardens
A long bloom season makes it a steady nectar source alongside penstemon, salvias and chuparosa.
Fine texture in tropical plantings
It softens bold leaves such as palms, aloes and agaves around patios and pools.
Good to know
Around the pool
Low litter and no thorns. Hummingbirds and some bees will visit while it is in bloom.
