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Grass Like

Miscanthus sacchariflorus ambig.

Robust clump-forming, deciduous grass, about 2.4m tall, with stiff, flat, slender blue-green leaves to 90cm long, with pronounced white midribs, turn bronze-yellow in autumn, then fading to pale brown in winter. Large, feathery, pyramidal flower panicles to 40cm long, open silvery-white in late summer and early autumn, fading to fluffy white and remaining attractive on the plant over winter

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Poaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
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
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Rootstock has a tendency to run in mild locations and not suited to small gardens. Protect from excessive winter wet. See ornamental grasses cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring - can be slow to establish

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Prairie planting
Wildlife gardens
Cut flowers
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Cut down dead foliage and old flowered stems as they deteriorate, or by early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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