Miscanthus sinensis ‘Variegatus’
Overview
Uses: Specimen plantings, mixed borders, mass plantings, and bright accents in lightly shaded spots.
Benefits: A classic maiden grass with creamy white and green striped leaves that brighten the garden from spring through fall. Pinkish plumes open in fall and fade to silver, standing through winter.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Hardy Perennial
Growth Habit: Upright, Arching — loose fountain of striped blades.
Bloom Color: Pinkish plumes aging to Silvery Tan
Foliage Color: Green with creamy White stripes
Mature Height: 5–6 feet
Mature Width: 3–4 feet
Bloom Season: Fall
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
A tall grass that brings light to the garden, even where the sun doesn’t reach all day.
Variegated maiden grass has been grown in gardens for well over a century, and its foliage is the reason. Each long, arching blade is striped lengthwise in creamy white and green, so from a distance the whole clump reads as a soft, silvery fountain. The color holds from the first shoots in spring until frost.
In fall, pinkish plumes rise above the foliage and slowly fade to silvery tan. Left standing, the plumes and bleached leaves hold through much of winter and catch frost and low sun when the rest of the garden is bare.
At five to six feet tall, it makes a bright specimen at the corner of a bed, a backdrop for darker foliage plants, or a light-colored accent against an evergreen hedge or dark fence. It keeps its variegation in partial shade as well as sun, which makes it useful in spots with only half a day of light.
Care
Variegated Maiden Grass Care
Plant in full sun to partial shade. Full sun gives the sturdiest clump; in partial shade the stripes stay bright but the blades grow looser and are more likely to lean.
Maiden grass grows in most average, well-drained soils, including clay, and tolerates moist ground better than many ornamental grasses. Avoid very rich soil, which produces soft, floppy growth.
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.
This older selection can splay open in late summer, especially in shade or after heavy rain. A loose ring of twine or a grow-through support set in early summer keeps it upright. Leave the foliage standing through winter, then cut the clump back to four to six inches in late winter or early spring. Divide in spring if the center thins. 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 Variegated Maiden Grass for Sale Online?
Our Variegated 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 Variegated Maiden Grass Grow?
Expect about 5 to 6 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 mass planting.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
- Variegated maiden grass
- Variegated Chinese silver grass
- Variegated eulalia
Will it grow in partial shade?
Yes. Unlike many ornamental grasses, it keeps its bright white striping with only about half a day of sun. Expect a looser, more open clump and fewer plumes than in full sun, and give it some support if it starts to lean. For more grasses for different sites, 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 sites with deer pressure. See more Deer-Resistant Perennials and Grasses.
