The Artful Gardener

Miscanthus

Gardening with Miscanthus.

Miscanthus, also known as maiden grass, Japanese Silvergrass or Chinese Silvergrass, are clump-forming ornamental grasses that are well worth growing. 

They have some of the best flowers of all the ornamental grasses, are fuss-free easy-maintenance plants that reward with attractive foliage and long-lasting flowers. 

They do best in a sunny aspect with moist open soils. Although miscanthus are generally deciduous, their faded foliage and flower heads remain on the plant over the winter months, giving structure and interest at a time when the garden can be a bit bare.

Canungra Law

Swaying gently in the wind, miscanthus bring movement and structure to any planting scheme and combine brilliantly with perennials. 

The larger varieties can be used as a screen or as a focal point, while the more compact varieties can be woven through borders or grown in pots. I like to combine them with the native Pennesetums to make a wonderful gently swaying border design.

Don’t fertilise miscanthus during the first year of planting. 

After that, feed it only once a year in winter or early spring with a mild organic fertiliser. Too much fertiliser makes the plants weak, and they may flop over.

Leaving the foliage on the plants through the winter protects the crowns from the cold, the drying stems looking great. Just before new growth emerges in spring, cut back the plants to a few inches above the ground. 

I just get the hedge trimmers out for this job. Miscanthus can be easily propagated by division into small clumps in the autumn. 

Miscanthus Zebrinus with its distinctive green and yellow striped foliage will make a very large clump some two metres tall and about 1.5 metres across. Great at the back of a deep border or for creating a screen. 

Miscanthus sinensis Silver Feather is a very popular variety that grows to 1.5 metres tall and has an elegant weeping habit and silver feathery flowers. 

At 120cm Miscanthus sinensis Adagio is a dwarf variety ideal for blending with perennials in a mixed border. 

Miscanthus transmorrisonensis is an evergreen variety reaching 180cm tall and wide. It has arching flower heads held high above slender leaves which remain green throughout the year. It just requires a trim and dead heading in late winter.

We at Clark+Granger wish you all the best in your gardens in 2025. 

Visit Clark+Granger at www.cplusg.com.au or phone 0456111120 to find out more.

By Jez Clark