Plant Type

Perennial, Grass

 

Height Range

3-6'

 

Flower Color

Pink

 

Flower Season

Summer, Fall

 

Leaf Color

Green, White, Variegated

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Water Garden, Wetlands, Native Garden

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers, Specimen, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Patio, Park, Walls / Fences, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Screen, Mass Planting, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Variegated Misccanthus has a loosely upright, arching habit, and wide (up to 3/4 inch) blades variegated green and white. The foliage stands 4 to 6 feet in height, and soft pinkish plumes standing another 1 to 2 feet over the grass. Both grass and plumes blanch to creamy white in the fall. Luminous in the landscape owing to its nearly white foliage; providing light shade or mid-day shade will prevent that white foliage from being scorched during hot summer months.

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.