Botanical Name: Miscanthus sinensis 'Silver Shadow'.
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Common Name: Silver Shadow Maidengrass  
Plant photo of: Miscanthus sinensis 'Silver Shadow'.
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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

3-6'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Summer, Fall

 

Leaf Color

Green, Silver, White, Variegated

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Half, Shade

 

Water

Medium, Extra in Summer

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Seascape, Spanish, Tropical, Native Garden, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers, Specimen, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

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

 

Special Uses

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

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

Silver Shadow is a medium-sized maidengrass with vivid, silver and green variegated foliage. Clump grows 4 to 5 feet, with flower plume extending to 6 feet. Flowers emerge late summer and are silvery white.
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.