About
A clump-forming perennial grass with olive-green leaves, up to 1.3m high, which start to turn orange and red in summer and become more intensely red by late autumn, and stems up to 1.5m high of dark brown-red flowers in late summer and autumn which remain attractive as fluffy brown seedheads in winter.
About the genus
Miscanthus can be deciduous or evergreen grasses with tufted or spreading habit, erect stems bearing arching, linear leaves and terminal panicles of silky spikelets in late summer or autumn
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeGrass Like
HabitTufted
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Prairie planting
Care notes
CultivationWill tolerate most conditions, but grows best in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun
PruningCut down dead leaves and old flowered stems to just above ground level in late winter or early spring; cut stems can be left around the plants as a mulch
PropagationPropagate by division in spring or early summer, before re-growth starts
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free