Introduction
This cultivar of Japanese silver grass (maiden grass) has a distinctive, whitish band along each margin of the leaves, displaying a variegated effect. Leaves droop and weep toward the ground, as do many of the other cultivars. Slender leaves originate in a clump, spreading out and up like a fountain. The 5 to 7 foot tall clumps bear pink flowers in a one-sided inflorescence in late summer and fall that can be used for drying or as a dye plant. Their pinkish or silvery 8 to 10 inch long plumes persist into the winter. Foliage is flexible and blows easily in the wind. This shrub-like grass turns to a rich gold in the fall; the fall color lasts through the winter.
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS
General Information
Scientific name: Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus'
Pronunciation: miss-KANTH-us sye-NEN-sis
Common name(s): variegated Japanese silver grass, maiden grass
Family: Poaceae
Plant type: herbaceous; ornamental grass
USDA hardiness zones: 4 through 9 (Figure 2)
Planting month for zone 7: year round
Planting month for zone 8: year round
Planting month for zone 9: year round
Origin: not native to North America
Invasive potential: aggressive, spreading plant
Uses: mass planting; border; container or above-ground planter; screen; accent
Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range
Credit:
Description
Height: 5 to 7 feet
Spread: 5 to 10 feet
Plant habit: upright
Plant density: moderate
Growth rate: fast
Texture: fine
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: serrate
Leaf shape: lanceolate
Leaf venation: parallel
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaf blade length: more than 36 inches
Leaf color: variegated
Fall color: brown or tan
Fall characteristic: showy
Flower
Flower color: pink
Flower characteristic: summer flowering; fall flowering
Fruit
Fruit shape: no fruit
Fruit length: no fruit
Fruit cover: no fruit
Fruit color: no fruit
Fruit characteristic: no fruit
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: typically multi-trunked or clumping stems
Current year stem/twig color: not applicable
Current year stem/twig thickness: not applicable
Culture
Soil tolerances: occasionally wet; acidic; sand; loam; clay; slightly alkaline
Drought tolerance: moderate
Soil salt tolerances: poor
Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches
Other
Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: plant has winter interest due to unusual form, nice persistent fruits, showy winter trunk, or winter flowers
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more
Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant
Use and Management
Japanese silver grass is frequently used in the landscape as a specimen or screen. It is also employed in group plantings, forming a nice mass of fine-textured foliage. Use Japanese silver grass as an accent or mass planted in a large-scale landscape, such as around a commercial building to add a touch of soft elegance and texture. The slightest breeze moves the foliage, allowing the landscape to "come alive." Many people prefer to cut the grass back to the ground in the spring so new green growth is not covered with last year's dried, brown foliage.
Japanese silver grass requires a location in the landscape that receives full sun, but it is adaptable to most well-drained soils. This ornamental grass is quite drought tolerant. Miscanthus sinensis is a warm season grass and transplants best in the spring. Provide good drainage at the planting site.
Other cultivars include 'Condensatus', coarser leaf texture than species, mid-summer bloom, 7 to 8 feet tall; 'Gracillimus', narrower leaves than species, fall bloom, upright growth habit from 5 to 8 feet tall; 'Purpurescens', reddish foliage in summer, purple-red foliage in fall, silver pink inflorescence, mid-summer bloom, 4 to 5 feet tall; 'Silver Feather', silvery white flowers in mid-summer; 'Strictus', horizontal yellow bands on foliage, upright growth habit, 6 to 8 feet tall; 'Yaku Jima', more compact, 3 to 4 feet tall; 'Zebrinus', horizontal yellow bands on foliage, wide spreading habit, to 7 feet tall.
The propagation of Miscanthus sinensis is by division in the spring.
Pests and Diseases
No pests or diseases are of major concern.
Rust diseases occasionally infest the foliage, but it often goes away in drier weather.
