January 2025

Miscanthus, also known as Maiden grass or Chinese silver grass, is a clump forming perennial grass and depending on the variety grows from three to six feet in height. It is native to the lowlands of Japan, China and Korea.

Miscanthus provides garden interest throughout the year. In the fall they send up silvery or brownish feathery tassels that fade to tan as fall turns to winter. Flower panicles and foliage both retain good arching shape, beige color and ornamental interest throughout winter, with enhanced attractiveness often coming from a covering of new fallen snow.

The height of the plant depends on the variety of miscanthus you select. There are now 50 or more cultivars of maiden grass in the nursery trade, so make sure you know the characteristics of the one you choose. ‘Little Zebra’ is a dwarf form with foliage two to three feet tall with the flowers topping out at four feet. Contrasting with ‘Giganteus’ which produces stems that reach 10 feet. Two of my favorites include ‘Adagio’ which grows three to four feet tall and ‘Little Zebra’ which grows two to three feet tall.

With age, the clump of miscanthus can reach three to five feet wide and the plants will perform better when divided every few years. Frequency depends on how rapidly the clump grows. Divide these plants late winter at the time foliage would be sheared back. Shear plants a few inches in late March to early April.

In some warmer parts of the United States, miscanthus has escaped and naturalized itself which is concerning. I have not seen this invasive characteristic in the Ozark region but as new varieties are being introduced, this concern needs to be watched.

Come visit us at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks this winter to see how we have used miscanthus in flower beds and in containers to provide a winter interest in the garden.

Berni Kurz

Director of Horticulture

Botanical Garden of the Ozarks