Miscanthus sinensis Strictus Dwarf - Silvergrass

Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus Dwarf', also known as Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus Compactus', is a low and compact form of M. 'Strictus',, appreciated for its yellow and light green striped foliage and its upright and narrow habit. The sun shines through its narrow leaves, creating small pale-yellow and green stripes, giving this grass an exceptional decorative aspect. It can grow in flower beds and in pots on a patio or balcony. Its inflorescences appear in late summer, in purple-pink panicles, turning white-cream when mature. Original and intensely bright, this little Chinese reed will easily integrate into any contemporary or naturalistic inspired decor. Somewhat slow to establish, this lovely plant thrives in warm and sunny locations, in ordinary soil that retains moisture.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus Dwarf' belongs to the Poaceae family. Its ancestor is native to China and Japan (in the pan-Himalayan region up to 2000m (6562ft) altitude). This perennial and clump-forming grass, with short rhizomes, forms over time a tuft with an upright and trailing habit, reaching a height of no more than 1m (3ft), with a spread of about 60cm (24in). Its rhizomes do not creep, meaning this clump-forming plant is not invasive. The leaves are thin, narrow, long, and flexible, ranging from light green to medium green, horizontally striped with pale-yellow. Long floral stems emerge from the foliage from September to November, in the form of silky digitate spikes, about 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) long. They are a purple-pink colour. As they fade, they take on a silvery beige to brownish hue. The plumes consist of tiny pinkish flowers that close a little after opening, only to reopen when mature. They then take on a paler and fluffier appearance. Its growth is quite slow, but it eventually becomes spectacular.

The variegated dwarf Chinese reed is a bright and space-saving plant, ideal for ornamenting contemporary patios and minimalist style flower beds. It has deciduous foliage, but remains decorative for much of the winter. It can be planted in flower beds alongside tall asters, perpetual roses, or dwarf conifers, which are very complementary. It has its place in modern gardens with clean lines, alongside bamboo or ferns if the soil is moist. Miscanthus softens the concrete structures of urban developments. It can also be planted in well-drained soil near water features, alongside phalaris or crocosmias, for example.