Growing guide · Grasses

Miscanthus sinensis

How to grow Maiden Grass 'Adagio'.

All the maiden grass drama, half the size.

Light
Full sun, part sun
Water
Low
Zones
5–9
Size
2–3 ft tall and wide (4–5 ft in bloom)
Spacing
2–3 ft apart; closer for a low massed screen.
Pets
Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
Compact mound of fine silver-green grass blades topped with pale pink and cream feathery plumes

Light

Full sun is best. In more than a half day of shade it flops and plumes thin out.

Water

Water weekly the first summer. After that it handles dry spells on its own.

Planting and soil

Plant in spring or early fall with the crown at soil level. Average soil is fine; avoid spots that stay soggy.

Feeding

Not needed. Too much nitrogen makes it floppy.

Pruning

Cut all the old foliage down to 4–6 in. in late winter or very early spring.

Through the year

Slow to wake up; green growth shows in late spring. Plumes from late summer, tan foliage and seed heads all winter.

If something's off

Miscanthus can self-seed and is considered invasive in parts of the East and Midwest; check your state before planting near natural areas. Centers can die out after several years; divide in spring.

Plays well with

Plant it with friends.

Stonecrop 'Neon'
Hylotelephium spectabileStonecrop 'Neon' from $31.99
Coneflower 'Cheyenne Spirit'
Echinacea hybridConeflower 'Cheyenne Spirit' from $30.99

Why we stock it: Real miscanthus texture for gardens without room for a 6 ft grass.

That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.

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