Maiden Grass, Silver Grass, Eulalia

Miscanthus sinensis

Poaceae (Grass Family)

▲ mature, flowering plant

▲ inflorescences

▲ leaves

Miscanthus sinensis: Maiden Grass, Japanese Maiden Grass

Location near campus:  in ornamental grass bed toward southwest corner of Master Gardener areas north  of Botanical Center Building in Nathanael Green park at the Botanical Center.

·         silver green leaves 4-6' long and about 1/2" wide and serrated margins

·         general foliage height is 4-6'

·         inflorescence is a digitate panicle produced in early to late fall arising 1-2' above foliage

·         requires full sun; prefers moist, but well-drained soils, but is very adaptable except to very wet soils

·         trim foliage back to ground in winter

·         divide or move in spring to mid-summer

·         common cultivars:

o    var. gracillimus (Dwarf Maiden Grass) has more slender leaves than species, about 1/4" wide

o   var. variegata (Variegated Maiden Grass) has white stripes running length of leaf

o   var. zebrinus (Zebra Grass) has darker green leaves with 1/2-1' wide yellow bands running across leaf surfaces