<em>Miscanthus</em>: best varieties

Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus': elegance and versatility

Among fine-leaved Miscanthus the cultivar ‘Gracillimus’ is unquestionably most striking: it produces very delicate leaves of a clear green marked by a silvery central filament that make it valued primarily for this ornamental greenery. Foliage takes on a splendid golden-bronze hue as temperatures fall in autumn, retained through winter. Inflorescences appear during September; they are at first pink-silvery, then turn rusty in autumn, but remain scarce and do not stand out much from the foliage. It is truly the rounded clump produced by the incurved habit of the leaves and their very fine structure that gives ‘Gracillimus’ all its appeal, with a graceful presence even in winter. At about 1.50 m tall with 1.20 m spreading, it is easy to use in many areas of the garden. Its versatility for styles from contemporary to country, together with its unrivalled hardiness, set it apart in this selection.

Plant Miscanthus ‘Gracillimus’ in fresh or moist soil, in sun as with all Miscanthus. In a mixed border, pair it with Eragrostis spectabilis, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Malepartus’ a little taller, Hydrangeas ‘Hayes Starbust’, Persicarias, Liatris spicata… All combinations are possible!

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ (Photo on right: KM)

Miscanthus sinensis 'Ferner Osten': graceful foliage and flowering

Among the most remarkable Miscanthus, ‘Ferner Osten’  offers many fine attributes: an opulent, dense silhouette, a rare elegance with very fine olive-green foliage marked by a thin central stripe that turns a superb purple‑orange in autumn. The clump gradually flares into a fountain. Flowering occurs early for a Miscanthus, from late July, which adds to its merits: the pearly purple spikelets stand out beautifully against the foliage, then take on a silvery‑pink tinge and become downy. Reaching 1.70 m tall with 1.50 m spread at maturity, you can admire it through winter, as it retains a very attractive presence and structure… You will inevitably find it hard to prune it in March because it will still look elegant with parchment‑like tones, but as with all your Miscanthus, pruning will be necessary for it to regrow in a few months…

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’ deserves a prime position: it adapts to many situations: in a hedge, mixed with other Miscanthus, in a winter border with some Cornus ‘Sibirica’ and Miscanthus ‘Sarabande’ or ‘Cosmopolitan’, in borders with pink tones (Sanguisorba, Eragrostis spectabilis, Cotinus) or orange tones (Rudbeckias, Kniphofias…), planted in large drifts or used as solitary specimens, etc.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’ (Photos: C. Baral)

Miscanthus floridulus: a giant for large spaces

If you are looking for a giant to fill the back of a border or the back of the garden as a privacy hedge, Miscanthus ‘Giganteus’ is perfect for you! Impressive, sculptural, this is the Miscanthus of superlatives. Planted in a line or in masses, this variety, between 2.5 m and 3 m tall, is indeed the ideal grass to provide an almost evergreen green screen year-round (cut back like all Miscanthus at the end of winter so it regrows even more vigorously). Very vigorous, Miscanthus floridulus (another name for it) produces large, very arching dark green leaves that turn coppery in autumn. Its habit is expansive and upright.

It produces long pinkish then silvery spikes only during hot summers and in the warmest regions, but above all it is prized for its absolutely remarkable screening effect, without the drawbacks of sometimes invasive bamboos.

It is so architectural that it can also be planted as a specimen to create a unique focal point in your garden. It is also suited to ornamenting the edge of a water feature.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus': variegated and graphic

Often confused with variety ‘Zebrinus’, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’ has horizontal striate markings forming a very bright, decorative yellow variegation. With a more erect habit, thanks to short, stiff leaves, it forms a compact upright clump 2.20 m tall by 1 m wide. This graphic variety flowers late, from October in purplish-pink spikes becoming silvery. It performs best in fresh, moist soil in full sun. Use in a grass garden where this variegated variety will bring relief and contrast. It also combines very well with a pared-back modern planting, or an area treated in exotic motifs, enhancing atmosphere with originality and vivid colours. Pair with some persicarias and Hydrangeas ‘Annabelle’, and some chartreuse foliage such as alchemillas or selected Physocarpus, which will respond to its extraordinary luminosity.

N.B.: dwarf form Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus Dwarf’, only 1 m tall, is very suitable for container culture on a contemporary terrace.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’ (on right paired with Leucadendrons ‘Ebony’ – Photo: KM)

Miscanthus 'Ghana': flamboyant autumn colours

Here is a superb variety in its summer then autumn colours: Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ghana’ is a Chinese reed of medium size, about 1.50 m high, with broad green foliage turning red in midsummer. Flowering fairly early in August in inflorescences first purple then fading to silvery beige, it is the tones of its foliage that make this variety so beautiful when autumn arrives. It then takes on a festival of the most brilliant colours, from orange-red to chocolate. The plumes, then beige, stand out and contrast attractively above the foliage. Planted in full sun, it is wonderful beside a water feature and provides a fine presence in the middle or back of a border. Pair it, for example, with a Panicum virgatum, a Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’, a few Aster ericoïdes, persicarias…

Miscanthus 'Morning Light': Refined and ideal for containers

In the small Miscanthus category — yes, they do exist! — don’t hesitate to choose the charming Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’, a pretty name for a grass that is indeed very luminous. Sporting very graceful, fine foliage lightly streaked with silver filaments, which give it a slightly variegated look, it remains modest in size, no more than 1.50 m at flowering. It is therefore ideal if you want to plant a Miscanthus in a pot or in a large container on the terrace. Its flowering is rather late and will become whitish as it opens. It also has a very good winter hardiness.

In a container, combine it for example with a few cushions of Hakonechloa macra, boxwood balls and a Phormium for a lovely contrast of texture and colour. In the garden, it is delightful accompanied by elegant, graceful plants like itself: Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’, white Lindheimer gauras, scabious, nigellas, and a few Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ if you have a bit of space.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’, Gauras, Japanese spirea, ornamental tobacco (Photo: KM)

Miscanthus sinensis 'Malepartus': highly floriferous

To complete this selection, I recommend a very handsome cultivar with large foliage and abundant flowering: it is Miscanthus sinensis ‘Malepartus’. It too has plenty to offer, with one of the most generous flowerings. The long panicles emerge coppery-pink in August and turn silvery in autumn. Its foliage is among the largest and most beautiful in autumn: very ornamental, starting dark green then taking on purplish-pink hues. Reaching 1.50 m to 1.80 m at maturity (after three years), you can plant it almost anywhere, in a wild meadow or a large grass or perennial border.