'Rotstrahlbusch' is the older cultivar of a few that get red tip and red tinged foliage. Often called Red Ray, it is not much different from "Shenandoah.' According to Bluestem Nursery, which is a wholesale and mail order nursery, this older cultivar is smaller with narrower blades (to 3/8" wide) and is more upright in habit than the others. Its leaves display red coloration earlier than the others, in late spring, and in autumn it becomes more fully red. 'Shenandoah' is a little taller, cascades some, has slightly wider blades, and shows the red tips and tinge a little later in June or early July and turns more burgundy in the autumn. There is some differing information from the different nurseries of height and hardiness zones from Zone 2 to 4 in the north and which is more red. These two cultivars probably are mixed up in the trade. I originally bought two 'Rotstrahlbusch' from Limerock Ornamental Grasses, which used to be a mail order business in Altoona, PA, and I bought two 'Shenandoah' from a conventional nursery in Malvern, PA, and I have them mixed up through the years. I'll have to work on this more to really figure it out.

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