PlantFiles: Silver Banner Grass
Miscanthus sacchariflorus

Absolutely gorgeous plant...BUT!

I got a small clump of Silver Banner Grass from a neighbor. The first year after transplanting I couldn't wait to see how beautiful it would look in my garden. Second year...it really looked nice. Third year... I neglected it and it grew like crazy.

This is the fourth year. When I realized that it had taken over one end of my garden and was headed towards my prized daylilies it *had* to go!

Let me assure you that while it may sound like a simple task to remove a "little" grass...that was NOT the case. You don't just PULL this stuff...you *have* to follow every single runner and get them ALL out. Otherwise they just send up new shoots and start the process all over again. How do I know? I know because now I'm pulling out the leftovers (as well as my hair!).

This is one plant that should never be introduced into a small-ish garden space without understanding what it's capable of.

Oh yes...and don't think that it will die off if you don't water it. The part in the description that says it needs moist soil? Well, it grew more than satisfactorily in absolutely dry sandy soil.

Plant this one, as they say, at your own risk!

Amur silver grass (Miscanthus sacchariflorus) is considered invasive by the Minnesota DNR
"Ecological Threat:

* It invades disturbed sunny to semi-shaded environments, such as road sides, woodland borders, and clearings.
* Although not a severe threat at this time it forms single species stands. It should be monitored and eliminated in the open landscape.
* Silver banner grass is native to eastern Asia and is a popular ornamental grass. It is found primarily in the eastern U.S., but is spreading in Minnesota."

This grass needs to be given limits to grow or it will slowly sread.

This grass is an aggressive spreader and is not suitable for smaller gardens. Given plenty of room it can be quite a beauty with it's silvery plumes that reach 7-9 feet tall. It prefers wet soils and is suitable to grow near the edges of ponds and water gardens. Plants grown in drier soils are not as robust and will not spread as rapidly.