Miscanthus sinensis
Maiden Grass
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
Upright-arching, 5-8' tall, growing upwards from a 3-4' wide, dense clump. Occasionally grows to 13' tall. Stands upright through the winter.
Native Range
Native to eastern Asia, throughout most of China, Japan, Taiwan & Korea.
Flower and Fruit Details
Flowers are pale pink to reddish, in a loose, terminal, 8-12" tassel (panicle), and are long-lasting, even after being cut for arrangements. Actual bloom is in the late summer to fall (Aug/Sept/Oct), but the showy plumes last all winter.
Leaf and Bark Features
Deciduous: Leaf blades arise from a large clump at base of plant. Leaves are flat 3-4' long and 3/8" wide, tapered to a slender tip, and sharply serrate along the margin. Fall color is beige. Buff-colored in the winter.
Culture and Care
Needs full sun, moisture and fertility. Tolerates nearly any soil, even heavy clay. Since this is a perennial, warm-season grass, it transplants best in the spring. Divide plants as needed in the spring. Cut back to the ground each March. Zone 5-9. Some cultivars benefit from a protected location in Zone 5. Too much shade or too much nitrogen fertilizer will result in a need for staking. Very few insect and disease problems.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
Some cultivars of Miscanthus sinensis are invasive, spreading readily by seed.
Suggested Uses
This species has been determined to be invasive within our local region (KY, OH, and/or IN). Local use is not recommended.
Good as specimens, screens, massing, in parks, show gardens, and in fresh or dried flower arrangements.
Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA
The following taxa are (or were) represented in the collections at Boone County Arboretum. Additional taxa may be available in the trade that are not included here.
Miscanthus sinensis 'Adagio' // Adiago Maiden Grass
Grass. Green to silvery-gray foliage. Grows to 4-5' tall, and 2' wide, w/ very narrow leaf blades. Consistent production of flowers that extend beyond the tops of the foliage, in August, opening with a reddish to pinkish-white tint, turning silvery-white to tan. Yellow fall foliage color. Plant in average to evenly moist, well-drained soil, in full sun to light shade. Hardy in Zones 6-9. A good, fine-textured choice for smaller gardens. Introduced by Kurt Bluemel. Similar to 'Yaku Jima', but better, due to its consistent production of floral inflorescences that extend upwards above the tops of the foliage.
Bed 172Miscanthus sinensis 'Cabaret' // Cabaret Maiden Grass
Grass. An excellent variegated form. 5-8' tall and 3-5' wide, w/ a weeping cascade of foliage. Broad, nearly 1" wide leaves have milky-white, linear-striped centers. Needs full sun to part shade. Blooms in early fall (Aug/Sep), w/ straight stems of pinkish flowers, changing to creamy white to beige. Flower plumes remain effective through February. Yellow fall color, changing to tan in winter. Zone 5(6)-9. An excellent cultivar. Tolerates drought, erosion, air pollution, and juglone from nearby black walnut trees. A good grass for accent, specimen, small grouping, borders, meadows, cottage gardens, naturalized areas, as dried flowers, or for edging a pond or water garden.
Bed 172Miscanthus sinensis 'Graziella' // Graziella Maiden Grass
Grass. Grows to 5-7' tall, forming a rounded clump reaching 3-5' wide, w/ slender leaves upright to arching outward, medium-green, 0.75" wide blades with a prominent white midrib. Orange-red fall foliage color, but fades to straw-beige by winter. Tiny but showy, silvery-white flowers appear early in large, tassel-like inflorescences high above the foliage (final height 7' tall), earlier in summer than most Miscanthus cultivars, gradually turning into silvery white plumes as the seeds mature. Flower plumes persist well into winter providing good winter interest. Tolerates sun/part-shade, drought, erosion, air pollution & juglone. Hardy to zones 5-9. Native to Japan, Korea, China. Exceptional beauty and variability, always clump forming.
Bed 172Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Kitten' // Little Kitten Maiden Grass
Grass. A narrow, compact or dwarf grass staying under 3' tall, and only 12-18" wide. Foliage is only 15" tall. Leaves are green, soft and narrow, & slightly pendulous. Plant in full sun. Hardy in Zones 5-9. . Late-summer to fall flowers are to 3' tall, silvery-white/tan/beige/blonde/creamy-white, held just inches above the plant. Flowers have pink to reddish tinges in August/September. Flowers remain showy through the winter. Golden-yellow fall foliage color. Makes a good single specimen plant, or in mass planting. Can also be grown in ceramic pots or other containers. Bird-friendly, deer-resistant. Good for cut or dried flowers.
Bed 239 - Bed 242 - Bed 243 - Bed 245 - Bed 246Miscanthus sinensis 'Sarabande' // Sarabande Maiden Grass
Grass. Grows upright, forming an arching mound, 4-6' tall & wide. Silver to golden/bronze/copper to reddish-brown, tassel-like flower inflorescences in August/September, persisting into winter. Leaves are dark green with silvery margins, narrow & fine textured. An excellent, hardy cultivar. Similar to 'Gracillimus' (Maiden Grass), but leaves have narrower blades (3/16") and it grows shorter. Tolerates clay, drought, erosion, air pollution, and juglone from nearby black walnut trees. Resists rabbits & deer. Leaves fade to tan after a late fall frost. Plant in full sun to part shade. Hardy to Zone 5(4)-9. Good for small landscapes, for screening, or as an accent plant, in containers, cut or dried arrangements, specimen, or near a water garden.
Bed 172Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' // Porcupine Grass
Grass. Grows 4-9' tall & 2-6' wide, forming a narrow, vertical clump of sharply pointed, variegated leaves. Narrow, tight & rigidly upright; less inclined to flop, spiky effect, the stiff, vertical leaves green w/ horizontal, light yellow to bright yellow bands. Plant in average to evenly moist soil, in full sun to part shade. Has been known in Western gardens for more than a century. This is like a more upright version of 'Zebrinus' (Zebra Grass), & more winter-hardy. (Zebra grass has a floppy habit.) Blooms start in Aug/Sep (showy through Feb), opening reddish. Fall color includes tan leaves (after a frost) & reddish-brown/coppery flower clusters. Hardy in Zone 4-9. Tolerates wet soil, & even grows in shallow water. New leaves start out solid green.
Bed 172 - Bed 204