Miscanthus sacchariflorus
Amur Silver Grass
a perennial member of the Miscanthus genus in the family Gramineae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Gramineae
- Genus
- Miscanthus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Growth rate
- vigorous
- Height
- 3 m
- Spread
- 2 m
- Fertility
- Wind
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Very wind hardy, succeeding in maritime exposure, it can be grown as a shelter hedge though it dies down in winter[K]. Although they die down in the winter they quickly attain their full height each season[4].
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - surface sow in spring in a greenhouse and keep moist. Germination should take place within a couple of weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or early autumn[4]. Very easy, large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a deep fertile loamy soil that does not dry out in summer[4] but succeeds in any ordinary soil that is not too dry[1][2], in sun or light shade[4]. Very wind tolerant. Plants can be grown as a focal point in lawns, they also succeed in quite coarse grass[5]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c when fully dormant[4], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Closely related to M. floridulus[5]. The leaves have saw-toothed edges and can cut the unwary gardener, it is best to wear gloves when working with the plant[4]. A rhizomatous plant, but it is slow to spread[3]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Grounds. R. Ornamental Grasses. Christopher Helm 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-1219-9
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00