Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass
Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass
Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass adds a brushstroke of pink and white to Roseville, Shoreview, and Mounds View borders — a tough, deer-resistant grass with cream-striped blades that flush pink in cool weather.
About Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass
| Botanical Name | Phalaris arundinacea 'Strawberry and Cream' |
| Mature Size | 2-3ft tall × spreading |
| Bloom / Foliage | Tan flower plumes mid-summer |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun (6+ hrs) for most ornamental grasses. A few (Blue Moor Grass) tolerate light shade. |
| Water Needs | Low. Drought-tolerant once established — average MN rainfall is plenty. |
| Soil | Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam. Adapts to most well-drained soils. |
| Hardiness Zones | 3-8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a). Reliable to -40°F for most native grass cultivars. |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed — ornamental grasses are one of the most deer-proof plant categories |
| Foliage | Deciduous — grass blades emerge in spring, mature through summer, hold form (often with golden fall color) into winter |
| Growth Rate | Fast — reaches full size in one or two seasons |
Why You'll Love Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass
Winter structure
Ornamental grasses hold their golden form through Minnesota's five-month winter — one of the few things that look great against snow. Pair with red-twig dogwood for maximum winter impact.
Pollinator + bird habitat
Grass seed heads feed birds through fall and winter. Native bunchgrass clumps are critical nesting habitat for ground-dwelling pollinators.
Low-water plantings
Once established, ornamental grasses thrive on natural rainfall — no supplemental watering needed. Perfect for boulevard strips, dry slopes, and parking-area plantings.
Variegated ribbon grass with pink summer tips
Pink-tipped foliage and best in damp spots — perfect for rain gardens. That's why Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass has earned a spot in our Minnesota launch catalog — it's a grass we're confident will thrive in your Twin Cities landscape.
Planting Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass in the Twin Cities
Best planting window: Spring (mid-April through early June) or early fall (late August through late September). Avoid planting during peak summer heat — Twin Cities heat waves can stress newly installed root balls.
Site selection: Full sun (6+ hrs) for most ornamental grasses. A few (Blue Moor Grass) tolerate light shade. Choose a location with the mature size of 2-3ft tall × spreading in mind — give Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass room to fill out without crowding fences, sidewalks, or neighboring plants.
Soil prep: Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam. Adapts to most well-drained soils. If your Twin Cities yard has heavy clay (common in Plymouth, Eden Prairie, and Wayzata), amend the planting hole with 25-30% compost to improve drainage. For sandy soils in parts of Anoka and Washington counties, mix in compost to improve water retention.
How to plant:
- Dig a hole 2× the width of the root ball and the same depth.
- Loosen the sides of the hole — slick clay walls block root expansion.
- Set Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass so the top of the root ball is 1-2" above grade.
- Backfill with native soil mixed 25% with compost. Tamp gently.
- Water deeply (5+ gallons) immediately after planting.
- Mulch 2-3" deep, keeping mulch 2" away from the stem.
Watering & Care
First year (establishment): Water deeply 1-2× per week from April through October. Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass needs consistent moisture to develop a strong root system for its first Minnesota winter. Check soil moisture 4-6" deep — water when the top 2-3" feels dry.
Established (year 2+): Low. Drought-tolerant once established — average MN rainfall is plenty. During typical Twin Cities summers, supplemental water during 2+ week dry spells is enough.
Winter prep: Water deeply in late October before ground freeze — this protects Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass through dry winter winds. Apply a fresh 2-3" layer of mulch in November to insulate the root zone through deep freezes.
Pruning: Cut back to 4–6 inches in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Do NOT cut back in fall — the foliage provides winter interest and wildlife habitat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass hardy in Minnesota?
Yes. Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass is rated for zones 3-8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — the Twin Cities metro is zone 4b–5a, well within its hardiness range. Pink-tipped foliage and best in damp spots — perfect for rain gardens.
How fast does Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass grow?
Fast — reaches full size in one or two seasons. Expect mature size (2-3ft tall × spreading) within 5-8 years depending on site conditions and care.
Will deer eat Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass?
Rarely browsed — ornamental grasses are one of the most deer-proof plant categories. In high-deer-pressure suburbs (Wayzata, Stillwater, Hudson), supplemental fencing or repellents may help young plants establish.
Can I plant Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass in part shade?
Full sun (6+ hrs) for most ornamental grasses. A few (Blue Moor Grass) tolerate light shade.
What size gallon should I buy?
We typically offer Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass in #2, #5, #10, and sometimes larger gallon sizes. Smaller sizes establish faster and cost less; larger sizes give instant impact. For most Twin Cities residential landscapes, #5 or #10 gallon is the sweet spot.
Where We Deliver
Three Timbers Minnesota delivers and installs Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass across the Twin Cities metro — Minneapolis, St. Paul, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Edina, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Wayzata, Bloomington, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Lakeville, Eagan, Roseville, Shoreview, Stillwater, Woodbury, Hudson, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Chanhassen, Excelsior, Victoria, Chaska, and surrounding communities. Live Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass grown for our climate and delivered fresh from our Waconia, MN nursery.
How Many Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass Do I Need?
Ribbon grass spreads by underground rhizomes, so each plant fills in to cover ground — space them about 24 inches apart to knit together into a variegated mat. Use the area guide below to plan a bed or a damp slope.
| Area to cover | Plants needed (24 in apart) |
|---|---|
| 10 sq ft | 3 plants |
| 25 sq ft | 7 plants |
| 50 sq ft | 13 plants |
| 100 sq ft | 25 plants |
Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Fresh cream-and-green striped blades push up and flush soft pink in the cool early-season air.
- Summer: The variegated clump fills out and lifts airy, tan flower plumes by mid-summer; the cream striping brightens shady-edge and pondside spots.
- Fall: Foliage takes on golden tones and keeps lighting up the bed as other plants fade.
- Winter: Cut blades stand tan against the snow for winter structure; cut back to 4-6 inches in late winter before new growth.
At a Glance
✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant ✔ Rain-Garden / Wet-Soil ✔ Four-Season Interest
Plant It With
- Shenandoah Switch Grass — an upright native grass that contrasts the low, spreading ribbon foliage.
- Shining Star Bluestem — fine-textured prairie grass with burgundy fall color.
- Prairie Dropseed — a tidy, fountaining clump grass for the front of the planting.
- Magnus Coneflower — bold pink daisies to rise above the variegated blades.
Is Strawberry and Cream Ribbon Grass Right for Your Yard?
It's wonderfully adaptable — happy in full sun in average to damp ground, including rain gardens, pond edges, and wet spots where many plants sulk, and drought-tough once established. The honest caveat: it spreads aggressively by rhizome, so it is not for a small, tidy bed — plant it where it can roam, edge it with a buried barrier, or use it to fill a tough damp slope where its spreading habit is an asset.