MISCANTHUS. Eulalia, maiden grass. Africa and Asia. These are elegant tall, clumping grasses. They have erect, leafy stems, the individual leaves usually narrow but as much as 3' long. In summer and early fall sprays of slender, glistening flower spikes are elevated well above the foliage on wand-like stalks which wave gracefully in the breeze. The flower clusters hang on well into winter, and even the dried remains of the past year’s shoots (in the deciduous species) are attractive. Some, also of the deciduous sort, color beautifully in the fall, before the leaves wither. These are fine subjects for the backgrounds of perennial borders, free-standing in open meadows, or at poolside. Their chief drawbacks, in certain locations, are sheer size (both vertical and horizontal) and the thirsty nature of some species. They are easily grown in sun or light shade and most soils, with moderate to regular watering depending on species.

sinensis. Eulalia, silver grass. China, Japan. This is by far the best known of the group. The plants are generally tall, with seasonal shoots rising as much as 8’. Widely spaced along the stems are narrow, arching leaves often over 2’ long. The showy flower clusters appear in late summer. By late fall the leaves and stems take on beautiful bronze shades before dying down for the winter. ‘Purpurascens’ has bright green leaves during the growing season, and beautiful pink flower clusters. In fall the leaves are painted in scarlet to crimson shades. ‘Cosmopolitan’ is the giant, with stout stems to 8’ or more and broad leaves margined in cream. ‘Gracillimus’ is smaller and distinguished by very narrow, bronze tinged leaves. ‘Sarabande’ has even finer foliage. ‘Yakujima’ combines this foliage with substantially smaller (3-5’) plant size. ‘Morning Light’ has narrow, graceful leaves, but with soft white margins, and beautiful pinkish flower clusters. ‘Silverfern’ (or possibly ‘Silberfeder’) is a tall (to 6’ or so) selection with relatively broad, cream white leaves with green margins. ‘Zebrinus’ has similarly broad leaves, showing broad, transverse yellow bands on a bright green background. ‘Kirk Alexander’ is nearly identical to ‘Zebrinus’ in coloring but is shorter in stature (2-3’) and has considerably shorter leaf blades. ‘Graziella’ is a selection particularly distinguished for its graceful, drooping flower clusters, though its bright orange-red fall color is just as endearing. Too many choices! Hardy to 0^oF. or less.

transmorrisonensis. Taiwan. For those who cannot bear the sight of a dried grass stalk, here is an evergreen species, also ornamental in its own right. It has stems 3' to perhaps 6' tall, with very narrow, shiny, dark green leaves. The graceful flower clusters appear over a long period in summer. They are reddish at first, fading to tan. While not as dramatic as M. sinensis in the fall, this species fills many of the same uses quite well. This is one of the “thirstier” miscanthus. Hardy to 15^oF or less.