Miscanthus sinensis Roland - Silvergrass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Roland' is a giant eulalia, imposing itself with grace and majesty. It sometimes reaches over 2.5m (8ft) in height when flowering. The floral spikes appear in the middle of summer. They are arched, trailing, and curly, and are larger and wider than in other varieties. The wide foliage is dark green with a lighter midrib. This vigorous variety is one of the largest in its genus. It is very hardy, making it ideal for cold regions. Plant it in the background of large flower beds or as an impressive standalone.

The 'Roland' Chinese Silver Grass belongs to the Poaceae family. It is a horticultural selection derived from Miscanthus sinensis, native to East Asia and Oceania. This giant grass with short rhizomes grows in a non-running clump. It is tufted. The habit is both upright and trailing, reaching a height of 2.5m (8ft) when flowering, 2m (7ft) for the foliage, with a spread of 1.5m (5ft). The leaves are wider than those of other varieties. They are very long, flexible, and rough. They are initially dark green with white veins, then coppery in autumn and straw-coloured in winter. Long floral stalks emerge from the foliage from August to October, in the form of large silky finger-like spikes measuring 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) long. They are lightly tinged with pink. As they fade, they take on a very soft pink hue.

This tall eulalia remains decorative for much of the winter. It is ideal for the background of large flower beds to which its strong presence brings a beautiful structure and a lot of grace. It will suit contemplative gardeners in a wild garden spirit. Plant it behind tall asters or helianthus. In modern gardens with clean lines, it can accompany bamboos or ferns if the soil is moist. Miscanthus are well suited for hedge planting, forming a screen along a path, to isolate a part of the garden, or simply to hide the view of the street or a neighbour's garden. In an urban garden, Miscanthus 'Roland' softens concrete structures. Along ponds, its monumental mass is indescribable: exotic, mysterious, and natural.