Description
Miscanthus –
There are about 20 species of deciduous or evergreen, tuft or rhizomatous, perennial ornamental grasses in this genus. They occur in moist meadows, and marshland from Africa to Eastern Asia. The reed like stems bear linear or narrowly lance shaped, folded, arching, light to mid green, or blue or purplish green leaves. Dense, terminal, arching panicles of silky hairy spikelets are borne in late summer and autumn, flower heads are more numerous following long, hot summers. In many cases, the drying growth provides russet autumn colors, and is attractive in winter, along with the dried beige or silvery flower heads. Grow as free standing specimens, or in a mixed herbaceous border. They may also be used for a waterside planting or as temporary summer screening. The flower heads may be used for cutting, they may also be dried.
Tolerant of most conditions but best in moderately fertile, moist, but well drained soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter moisture. Where withered stems are left for winter effect, they should be cut to the ground by early spring or when dead stems start to collapse. Divide as new growth begins in spring.
M. sacchariflorus – Silver Banner Grass – This deciduous, robust, clump forming, perennial from Southeastern Asia grows 5-7′ feet tall and 4 ½’ feet wide. It produces stiff, flat, linear, bright green leaves, to 36″ long, with pale, silver-green midribs. In late summer and early autumn, it bears finely hairy, pyramidal or fan shaped panicles, to 16″ long, of numerous silky hairy, silvery white spikelets.
Zones 8-9
