Grass
Chinese silver grass
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowers | Flowers in August | Flowers in September | Flowers in October | |||||||||
| Plant | Plant in April | Plant in May | Plant in September | |||||||||
| Prune | Prune in February | Prune in March | ||||||||||
| Looks good | Looks good in January | Looks good in February | Looks good in August | Looks good in September | Looks good in October | Looks good in November | Looks good in December |
Overview
Clump-forming and deciduous, miscanthus grows from bare ground in spring to a tall fountain of arching leaves by late summer, then sends up silky plumes that age from pink or bronze to silver-fawn. The dried stems stand all winter and catch frost beautifully. 'Morning Light' has fine white-edged leaves; 'Ferner Osten' is compact with reddish plumes; 'Kleine Fontäne' flowers reliably even in cooler summers; 'Gracillimus' is grown mostly for its narrow foliage.
Where to grow chinese silver grass
Full sun and soil that holds some moisture give the best results; heavy clay is fine. Flowering depends on summer warmth, so in northern Britain pick early-flowering varieties. Use it as a screen, a focal point, or woven through late perennials. Smaller cultivars under 150 cm suit tight spaces and large pots, while the biggest need a generous spot away from paths.
Planting
Plant in spring, when roots establish fastest, leaving 90 cm or more between larger varieties. Water regularly through the first summer.
Care through the year
Spring
Feed lightly with compost after cutting back.
Summer
Water young plants in drought; established clumps are tough.
Autumn
Leave stems and plumes standing.
Winter
Enjoy the structure; seed heads shelter insects.
Pruning
In February or early March, cut all the old stems down to 10–15 cm before new shoots emerge. Wear gloves, as the leaf edges are sharp.
Propagation
Divide in spring as growth starts. Old clumps are dense, so use a sharp spade or old saw, and replant vigorous pieces from the edge.
Common problems
Few pests trouble it. Clumps that die out in the middle need dividing. Floppy growth comes from shade or over-rich soil. Some forms can self-seed in warm areas; cut plumes before seed sets if this happens.
Something else wrong? Diagnose it by symptom.
Month-by-month reminders
Jobs for this plant come round in February, March, April, May and September. Each month page lists everything else worth doing in the garden at the same time.
Related plants
Sources
Botanical names follow Kew's Plants of the World Online; growing attributes were checked against the references below. Text is our own. See our editorial policy.