Miscanthus sinensis Cute One - Silvergrass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Cute One' is a new Chinese reed with an incredibly compact habit. Slightly taller than a carex, but just as dense, this variety forms a beautiful clump of fine trailing leaves that cover the ground. In late summer, it is adorned with an aerial flowering of rare elegance, with slender undulate purple and cream feathery spikes that sway in the wind. 'Cute One' is water-efficient and grows easily in the sun in ordinary garden soil. Superb as ground cover, in border plantings, or in a pot.

Miscanthus sinensis, also known as eulalia or Chinese reed, belongs to the Poaceae family. 'Cute One' is a recent horticultural selection from this grass, native to China (in the pan-Himalayan region up to 2000m (6562ft) altitude), Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, and New Zealand. This perennial and clump-forming 'herb', with a non-trailing stump and short rhizomes, forms a low clump with a spreading habit, reaching a height of 50cm (20in) and a spread of 30cm (12in). The leaves are slender, long, and flexible, tapering to a point. Their colour is a medium green with a very fine white midrib. They dry up in winter. In September-October, a large number of flowering stems emerge from the foliage, bearing slender, arched, digitate, and silky spikes that are 20cm (8in) long. They are initially tinged with purple. As they open, they become white-pink, then fade to a silvery hue. The plumes are made up of tiny pinkish flowers that close slightly after opening, only to reopen when mature. They then take on a paler and more feathery appearance.

Among ornamental grasses, Miscanthus is probably one of the most beautiful and least invasive. It has been the subject of numerous selections and is the origin of many cultivars. Chinese reed is a wonderful perennial that grows on its own, perfect for contemplative gardeners. It suits a modern garden with clean lines, or in large settings where it will lighten the floral display, leaving a sense of freedom in its wake. This 'Cute One' variety can be planted en masse along a pathway or in a border, where it will make a remarkable ground cover in a natural, urban, or contemporary style garden. Growing it in large containers on a patio will suit it perfectly. Its plumes make beautiful dried bouquets.