Miscanthus sinensis Afrika - Silvergrass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Afrika' is particularly brilliant in autumn. It truly stands out from its surroundings with its intense colours, in shades of vibrant red and orange, perfectly complementing the burnished silver of its feathery spikes. It is a large perennial grass with a shallow spreading rootstock, growing slowly but steadily, forming a solid regular clump with long, narrow, very flexible, greyish-green leaves, perfect for natural gardens. It remains decorative until the heart of winter, when its plumes are delicately frosted. This plant is not invasive. Its inflorescences are perfect for dried bouquets. It is easy to cultivate in any ordinary soil that is not too dry to moist, in full sun.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Afrika' belongs to the Poaceae family. It is a horticultural form derived from Miscanthus sinensis, native to China (in the pan-Himalayan region up to 2000m (6562ft) altitude), Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, and New Zealand. This large perennial and clump-forming (i.e., its rhizomes do not run) grass, with short rhizomes, forms a strong clump with an upright and trailing habit, reaching 1.2m (4ft) in height, with a spread of 70cm (28in). The leaves are thin, very long, and flexible. They are initially dark olive-green, then turn red, burgundy, copper, orange, and fiery in autumn. Long flower stalks emerge from the foliage from August to October and persist until November. The flowering takes the form of digitate and silky spikes, 20 to 30cm (8 to 12in) long, which are whitish to silvery. As they fade, they take on a brushed brownish-silver hue. The plumes consist of tiny flowers that close a little after blooming, only to reopen when mature. They then take on a paler and more feathery appearance.

It has deciduous foliage, but remains decorative for much of the winter. It is ideal for large beds, to which its strong presence brings beautiful structure and plenty of grace. It is also suitable for wild gardens and contemplative gardeners. Just plant it among asters, behind garden chrysanthemums, or perpetual roses. Watch it grow and expand, play with the wind and the low autumn light, and bend under rain showers. Come winter, it lights up the garden with its reassuring silhouette. It has its place in modern gardens with clean lines, alongside bamboo or ferns if the soil is moist. Miscanthus are well-suited for hedge planting, forming a screen along a path, isolating a part of the garden, or simply hiding the view of the street or a neighbour's garden. In this use, they offer a somewhat unreal walk through the vegetation. These grasses bring volume and texture to the boundaries of the garden, creating a natural transition to the open areas. In an urban garden, Miscanthus 'Afrika' softens concrete structures. They can also be planted in large containers. It can also be used to create beautiful dried bouquets.

Some varieties of miscanthus are currently being studied, as they offer real prospects for the creation of standing crop or fibre panels. These plants have several advantages: they do not deplete the soil, tolerate polluted soils well, and can be incinerated or even used to produce biofuel.