Botanical Name: Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Kitten'
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Common Name: Little Kitten Maidengrass  
Plant photo of: Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Kitten'
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial, Grass

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Pink, White

 

Flower Season

Summer, Fall

 

Leaf Color

Green, Silver

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Low, Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Seascape, Spanish, Tropical

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers, Specimen, Unusual Shape

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio, Parking Lot, Raised Planter, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Container, Cut Flowers, Hedge, Mass Planting, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

'Little Kitten' is a dwarf miscanthus cultivar, growing only about 15 to 18 inches tall, with flower plumes rising to maybe 30 inches. It has a rounded, mounded habit, and arching, narrow, green leaves. Showy, cascading flower plumes (silvery-white with pink or reddish tinges) appear in August on stalks rising well above the foliage to a height of 30", and persist well into winter. Good fresh cut or dried flower. Use in a perennial, shrub, or foundation border.
Miscanthus grow in full sun to bright shade, though white variegated forms appreciate a little mid-day shade. Provide well drained soils; sandy-loam to clay-loam will do just fine. All Miscanthus should be cut back in late winter to early spring, about the time that spring bulbs are emerging. Cut back to within inches of the ground. Like other ornamental grasses, Miscanthus pairs well with spring flowering bulbs. See Guides for details.