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Category: Ornamental Grasses and Bamboo Perennials
Height: 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m) 6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing: 36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness: USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Other details: May be a noxious weed or invasive Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season Provides winter interest
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Propagation Methods: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets) From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
Seed Collecting: Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
On Apr 28, 2008, gapchwillow from Macomb, IL wrote:
I think I'm going to be very pleased with the stand-alone specimen of Maiden Grass "gracillimus" that I added to my perennial bed last summer. I wasn't expecting it to bloom since it hadn't even been planted an entire season, but was pleasantly surprised with beautiful plumes in the fall that added a good amount of interest to my garden through the winter.
On Dec 27, 2006, frostweed from Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) wrote:
Eulalia, Japanese Silver Grass, Maiden Grass, Zebra Grass Miscanthus sinensisis naturalized in Texas and other States and is considered an invasive plant in Texas.
On Apr 28, 2005, Cesca_B from Henderson, KY wrote:
While these plants can be 'invasive', if taken care of (including tending to the seedheads in the falls) they can provide great joy and a beautiful background for other plants in a sunny yard. I have had four miscanthus that have spent two years in my relatively new garden and while they tried to explode onto the scene, keeping them in has made them a part of my gardening joy.
This plant is highly invasive. I have seen it take over hay fields, roadsides and just about everywhere else. In my opinion it should be avoided at least in Zones 6 and 7, where it appears to be most destructive to native vegetation.
On Aug 3, 2001, Verdesign from Memphis, TN (Zone 7b) wrote:
M. sinensis is one of about twenty species of the genus Miscanthus. The reed-like stems bear narrow lance-shaped arching leaves. Panicles of silky spikes present in late summer and autumn. Miscanthus may be grown as a stand-alone specimen, in mixed borders, or at water-side.
Best grown in moderately fertile, moist and well-drained soil in full sun. Hard prune in later winter or very early spring.
Sow seed in containers in a cold frame in early spring. Or, divide as new growth starts in early spring.
This plant is rarely bothered by pests and diseases.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Bakersfield, California Denver, Colorado Lewes, Delaware Brooksville, Florida Boise, Idaho Decatur, Illinois Macomb, Illinois Pontiac, Illinois Washington, Illinois Greenville, Indiana Davenport, Iowa Hutchinson, Kansas Olathe, Kansas Springfield, Missouri Hillsdale, New York Jefferson, New York Nineveh, New York Emerald Isle, North Carolina Cincinnati, Ohio Cleveland, Ohio Arlington, Texas