Grass
Chinese silver grass
Miscanthus sinensis
A tall clump-forming ornamental grass with arching leaves and late-season flower plumes. It needs full sun, enough space and one annual cutback, while final height depends strongly on the cultivar.
- Size
- 1.5–3 m high · 1–1.5 m wideVaries by cultivar
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Winter
- Hardy
- Seasonal form
- Dies back
- Maintenance
- Low
Before planting
- Choose the cultivar by final height and flowering time; compact and very tall forms differ greatly.
- Give the clump enough width and avoid sites that stay waterlogged through winter.
Why choose it
- Adds height, movement and a strong vertical accent from summer into winter.
- Dry leaves and flower plumes can remain decorative after the growing season.
Care
- Leave the dry growth standing through winter if you want structure.
- Cut old foliage and stems back in late winter or early spring before new shoots emerge.
- Divide an overcrowded clump in spring.