Reineckea carnea

Common Names

Chinese Lucky Grass, Ribbon Grass, False Mondo Grass, Ribbon Lily

Summary

An evergreen rhizomatous perennial native to China and Japan, it forms arching, strap-shaped leaves and low tufts that spread as groundcover through short rhizomes. Leaves measure 10–40 cm long and 0.5–3.5 cm wide; pink flowers appear on short spikes that stay below leaf height, followed by red berries persisting into fall and winter.

Growth tolerates shade to semi-shade in moist, well-drained humus-rich soils; heat and humidity tolerance; deer- and rabbit-resistant; hardy in USDA zones 7a–10b; propagation by division; suitable for shade gardens, borders, mass plantings, and containers as a low-maintenance ground cover.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

4-18 inches

Spread

8-18 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-9

Sunlight Requirements

Partial shade.

Soil Type

Humus-rich, well-drained, moist soil with pH 5.5–7.0; textures from sandy loam to clay loam

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.5-7.0

Bloom Color

Pink, Pale Pink, Pale Pinkish-White, Light Lavender, White

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow-spreading

Seasons of Interest

All four seasons

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Cuttings, Rhizome-based vegetative propagation

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds