Miscanthus sinensis Giraffe - Silvergrass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Giraffe', commonly known as Chinese Reed or Eulalia, is a large variety with incredible, zebra-striped foliage. Its long, narrow, medium-green leaves are marked with very broad horizontal yellow bands, creating a variegated, bicoloured effect visible from afar. Its graceful inflorescences appear around the end of August in copper-bronze plumes. This luminous, floriferous grass has a graceful fountain-like habit. It thrives in warm, sunny positions in ordinary soil that retains some moisture.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Giraffe' is a member of the grass family (Poaceae), native to China and Japan (in the Pan-Himalayan region up to 2000m altitude). This large, cespitose* perennial grass with short rhizomes forms a dense clump which is both erect and trailing, reaching up to 3m in height when in flower, with a spread of 1.5m. The fine, narrow, very long and supple, pale green leaves are vertically striped with creamy yellow. Long flowering stems emerge from the foliage from September to November as silky, 20–30 cm long, copper-brown spikes. As they fade, they take on a silvery tint. The plumes consist of tiny flowers that appear, then close slightly, reopening at maturity to take on a paler, more downy appearance. Its growth is slower than that of other varieties, but over time it will become spectacular.

Chinese Reed 'Giraffe' is a particularly luminous plant, bringing grace and structure to large borders with its deciduous foliage, which remains attractive well into winter. This grass is ideal for wild gardens. Placed among asters, behind garden chrysanthemums or repeat-flowering roses, it grows and fills out while moving in the wind and the autumnal light. Its reassuring, elegant silhouette lightens the garden in winter, much like conifers do. It is equally at home in modern gardens with clean lines, combined with bamboos or ferns if the soil is moist. Miscanthus are perfect for forming a hedge or screen along a path edge, isolating a part of the garden or screening an unwanted view, while adding a touch of lightness and volume. In an urban garden, Miscanthus sinensis 'Giraffe' softens concrete structures and can be grown in a large container. Placed near water features, this plant casts a graceful silhouette on the surface. Finally, Eulalia is ideal for making dried flower arrangements.

Some varieties of giant Miscanthus are currently being studied, as they offer real potential for biomass production or fibre panels. These plants have several advantages: they do not exhaust the soil, tolerate polluted soils well, can be incinerated without recovery, or even used for biofuel production.

*This term describes, for example, a type of grass whose rhizomes are not running.