Images Depict Mature Plants
Maiden Grass
Miscanthus Gracillimus
Miscanthus 'Gracillimus', also known as maiden grass, is a highly decorative ornamental grass that offers year-round beauty with its narrow, arching silver-green foliage and feathery autumn plumes. Ideal for landscaping, this drought-tolerant and low-maintenance grass enhances garden borders, provides elegant privacy screens, and adapts well to various soil conditions.
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Delay shipping by leaving us a message at Checkout.
Share:
Maiden Grass for Sale Online
Miscanthus 'Gracillimus,' commonly known as maiden grass, is a beautiful ornamental grass that has been a staple in many gardens due to its elegant appearance and robust nature. This perennial grass is known for its narrow, fine-textured, silver-green blades that gracefully arch from a tight clump, creating a fountain-like effect. The foliage gently sways with the wind, bringing movement and a soothing rustle to the landscape, enhancing garden spaces' sensory appeal by adding movement and sound to the landscape.
As autumn approaches, Miscanthus 'Gracillimus produces delicate, feathery plumes that emerge above its foliage, typically turning a soft silver or pinkish hue as they mature. These plumes catch the light beautifully, especially in the early morning and late afternoon, adding a layer of visual interest that persists through the winter if the stalks are left uncut. This seasonal change provides aesthetic beauty and valuable texture and contrast when paired with other plants in a mixed border.
Growing Miscanthus 'Gracillimus' is relatively straightforward, as it adapts well to various soil types, though it prefers well-drained soil and a full sun location to thrive. It is drought tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping and gardens that experience periodic dry spells. Maiden grass is also salt tolerant, so planting it near salt water is acceptable. Its dense growth habit also makes it an excellent choice for privacy screens or as a backdrop for other flowering plants.
| Hardiness Zone: | 5-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 6-7 Feet |
| Mature Width: | 3-6 Feet |
| Sunlight: | Full Sun to Part Sun |
| Water Requirements: | Dry to Evenly Moist |
| Flower: | Copper, Inflorescences |
| Selling Points: | Deer Resistant, Urban Gardening, Coastal Exposure; Natural, Meadow and Cottage Gardens. |
How to Care for Maiden Grass
Before planting your new Maiden Grass Plants, be sure to read these recommendations for optimal Miscanthus Gracillimus care.
What Kind Of Soil Is Best For Maiden Grass?
Maiden Grass does best in fertile, well-draining soil. Keep the soil moist during the first year of planting. It is a good practice to water at the root level to prevent plant rust, which can happen when leaves are too soaked. Once Maiden Grass is established, usually after a couple years in your landscape, it will develop drought tolerance and may only need supplemental watering during the hot summer months. Allow the soil to dry in the winter when the plant becomes dormant.
How Should I Cut Back My Maiden Grass?
New growth starts from the ground every year, so removing the old dead foliage from the winter is key to support your ornamental perennial grass. Cut back Maiden Grass in late winter or very early spring, before new growth begins (and before you risk disturbing any spring birds' nests). Tie off manageable sections with rope, and use clean sharp shears to cut the sections about 6 inches above the base of the plant, or the crown. We recommend discarding of your grass in such a way that you don't spread the seeds anywhere that you don't want them to self-seed. DO NOT BURN - Burning can accelerate the spread of Maiden Grass, and it should only be done safely under professional supervision.
Should I Use Mulch for My Gracillimus Maiden Grass?
Using a mulch around Maiden Grass has many benefits. In addition to helping to regulate water and root temperature, preventing weeds from growing, and adding nutrients to the soil, mulching can also help prevent the grass from self seeding and spreading too much. This is an important goal for anyone growing Maiden Grass in warmer grow zones, where it can spread to neighboring areas more quickly than in cooler climates. Keep an inch of space between your organic mulch and the crown of the plant.
How Much Sun Does Maiden Grass Need?
Miscanthus Gracillimus, also known as Maiden Grass, thrives best in full sun. While it can tolerate partial sun, it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight to maintain its attractive, upright form.
Additional Information
Maiden Grass is an ideal choice for creating texture and movement in landscaping, especially because it offers visual interest for all four seasons. These plants grow up to 7 feet tall so they make a great option to create subtle privacy (expect for early spring when they're cut back). Miscanthus Gracillimus (Maiden Grass, Eulalia Grass, Chinese Silver Grass) makes a great backdrop for perennial flowerbeds. Plant them in full sun areas, and try to position them so that they are backlit by either the sunset or sunrise in your area, you won't regret it.
If you are going for a naturalistic landscape you can pair your grasses with Salvia, Lavender, Coneflower, Bottlebrush, and Midwinter fire Dogwood Shrubs - these will all complement each other in style and still create interest in multiple seasons. For a more cottage garden look, match these with landscaping roses and flowering shrubs such as Deutzia or Weigela.
Maiden Grass is deer and rabbit resistant, but it will attract birds to your garden. In east Asia where this grass is native, it is common to control Gracillimus by letting goats, sheep, horses and cattle graze on it. Here in North America, deer and other native animals did not co-evolve with Miscanthus Gracillimus, so they are not interested in eating it. However, horses, cattle, sheep, goats and other livestock often did co-evolve with this grass; letting them graze on it is a common solution for controlling the spread of Chinese Silver Grass.
If you live further south, and your frosts don't curb the spread of Maiden Grass the way that you would like, then there are some native options that might work well for you. Native alternatives for ornamental grasses include Switchgrass or Little Bluestem.
