Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’
Overview
Uses: Specimen plantings, back of the border, mass plantings, and seasonal screening.
Benefits: A classic maiden grass with very fine, narrow leaves that form a graceful, arching fountain. Coppery-red plumes open in fall and age to silver, holding up through winter for four-season interest.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9
Sun: Full Sun
Life Cycle: Hardy Perennial
Growth Habit: Upright, Arching — fine-textured vase of foliage.
Bloom Color: Coppery-Red plumes aging to Silvery Tan
Foliage Color: Fine Green blades with a silver midrib, turning Gold in fall
Mature Height: 5–7 feet
Mature Width: 3–4 feet
Bloom Season: Fall
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
The finest-textured of the classic maiden grasses, and it moves with every breeze.
Gracillimus has been a garden standard for generations because of its leaves. Each blade is very narrow, with a thin silver line down the center, and together they form a soft, arching fountain about five to seven feet tall that looks almost like a green waterfall. Even a light wind sets the whole clump swaying.
It is a late bloomer. Coppery-red plumes rise above the foliage in fall and slowly fade to silvery tan, while the leaves turn gold and then light tan as the weather cools. Left standing, the foliage and plumes hold their shape through much of winter, catching frost and low sun when the rest of the garden is bare.
Use a single clump as a specimen near a patio or at the corner of a house, line several along a fence for a seasonal screen, or set them at the back of a sunny border behind coneflowers, sedum, and asters. In areas with a short growing season, the plumes may open late or only partly before frost; the foliage alone is still the main show.
Care
Gracillimus Maiden Grass Care
Plant in full sun. Strong light keeps the clump upright and full; in shade it grows open and tends to flop.
Maiden grass grows in most average, well-drained soils, including clay, and tolerates moist ground better than many ornamental grasses. Very rich soil produces soft, tall growth that is more likely to lean.
Water deeply once a week through the first growing season while roots establish. Established clumps handle dry spells well, though they look best with water during long droughts.
Fertilizer is rarely needed. In poor soil, a light application of a slow release fertilizer in spring is enough.
Leave the foliage standing through winter. In late winter or early spring, before new shoots appear, cut the clump back to four to six inches. After several years the center may thin out; divide the clump in spring and replant the healthy outer sections. In some regions maiden grass can seed into nearby areas, so remove the plumes before they shed in late fall if self-sown seedlings are a concern.
Size
What Size is the Gracillimus Maiden Grass for Sale Online?
Our Gracillimus Maiden Grass ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Plants ship dormant or cut back in the off-season, so they may arrive without green foliage. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Gracillimus Maiden Grass Grow?
Expect about 5 to 7 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide at maturity, in an upright, arching clump. Space plants about 3 to 4 feet apart for a seasonal screen, or give a single specimen room to arch on all sides.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
- Maiden grass
- Chinese silver grass
- Eulalia
How is it different from other maiden grasses?
Gracillimus has some of the narrowest leaves of any miscanthus, which gives it a softer, finer look than wide-bladed or striped types. It also blooms later in fall than many newer selections. For other textures and heights, see our Ornamental Grasses.
Why is my maiden grass slow to start in spring?
Maiden grass is a warm-season grass. It stays dormant until the soil warms, usually in mid to late spring, and then grows quickly through summer. A clump that looks bare in April is normal.
Do deer eat maiden grass?
Deer rarely bother maiden grass, and the mature blades are tough and coarse to browse. No plant is completely deer-proof, but it is a dependable choice for sunny sites with deer pressure. See more Deer-Resistant Perennials and Grasses.
