Botanical Name: Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus'
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Common Name: Gracillimus Maiden Grass  
Plant photo of: Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus'
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial, Grass

 

Height Range

6-12'

 

Flower Color

Gold

 

Flower Season

Summer, Fall

 

Leaf Color

Green, Silver

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Fast

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Native Garden, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Specimen, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio, Park, Raised Planter, Walls / Fences, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Hedge, Screen, Mass Planting, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: JJ Neilson Arboretum
  • Description

  • Notes

This Miscanthus is one of the oldest in the nursery trade. It has a fine texture and showy flowers. The blades have narrow, silver mid-ribs and form stiffly erect clumps from 6 to 8 feet tall. Flowers have a nice separation from the grass, rising 1 to 1-1/2 feet above the clump; emerging copper-colored in late September and maturing to a silvery white. Grows best in full sun but will tolerate morning shade. Clump turns orange to almond colored in the fall.
Miscanthus grow in full sun to bright shade, though white variegated forms appreciate a little mid-day shade. Provide well drained soils; sandy-loam to clay-loam will do just fine. All Miscanthus should be cut back in late winter to early spring, about the time that spring bulbs are emerging. Cut back to within inches of the ground. Like other ornamental grasses, Miscanthus pairs well with spring flowering bulbs. See Guides for details.