Miscanthus sinensis Dronning Ingrid - Silvergrass

The Miscanthus sinensis 'Dronning Ingrid' is a beautifully colored variety of Maiden Grass, which turns purple from August onwards, with beige plumes swaying in the wind but firmly anchored to strong, wine-red stems. This lovely medium-sized grass is easy to integrate into small gardens or to grow in a large pot on the terrace or balcony. Like most Chinese Reed Grasses, this variety needs sun and soil that is sufficiently moist and loose to fully express the generosity of its foliage and flowering.

'Dronning Ingrid' belongs to the large family of poaceae. It is a horticultural form derived from Miscanthus sinensis, a species native to East Asia and Oceania. This perennial grass with short rhizomes is clump-forming and fast-growing. The habit is both compact and upright, reaching a height of 1.50m (5ft) to 1.70m (6ft) in flower after 10 years, with a spread of 1m (3ft). The leaves are quite wide, very long, flexible, green in spring, and turning purple-violet from August onwards. Long floral stems emerge from the foliage from August to September to November, in the form of silky, finger-like spikes about 25-30cm (10-12in) long, reddish at the beginning. When they fade, they take on a lovely beige color. The plumes are made up of tiny flowers that close a little afterwards, then reopen when mature. They then take on a paler and more fluffy appearance and persist on the plant throughout winter.

It suits the background of large flower beds, where its strong presence brings structure and lots of color at the end of summer. It is suitable for wild gardens and contemplative gardeners. Just plant it among asters, alongside repeat-flowering roses and daylilies, watch it grow and fill out, play with the wind and the low autumn light, and bend under the showers. It also has its place in modern gardens with clean lines, alongside dwarf bamboos or ferns if the soil is moist. These grasses bring volume and texture to perennial flower beds, lightening the overall floral display. In an urban garden, 'Dronning Ingrid' Miscanthus will soften concrete structures. It is also well-suited for growing in large containers, allowing you to furnish the terrace or balcony with lots of panache and elegance.