Alphabetical Plant Listing

Best Chinese Silver Grasses for Your Garden (Miscanthus sinensis)

Best Japanese Silver Grasses, Best Chinese Silver Grasses, Best Maiden Grasses, Best Eulalia


Adding structure and interest to the fall and winter garden, Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese Silver Grass) are fabulous ornamental grasses that should have a spot in any garden. Traditionally used in Japan in decorative art and gardens, Miscanthus made a royal entrance into occidental gardens about a century ago, thanks to the spectacular feathery plumes towering above their graceful arching foliage and their year-long interest in the garden.

Native to China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, Miscanthus sinensis are sun-loving deciduous grasses that have become so popular that they are now available in a wide range of lovely cultivars varying in height, leaf width, leaf color or flower plume color. Their erect, airy, plumed seed heads are typically produced in late summer (August or September) or early fall (October) and range from pale silver through to buff and to deep purplish-red depending on the variety. Shining in the summer sun, they all fade to silver within 3-4 weeks and turn soft and fluffy. They generally retain their good-looks well into the winter, providing a charming and architectural display.

The species form of Miscanthus sinensis is invasive in several US states. The invasive potential is of less concern for many of its ornamental cultivars, some of which are sterile. However, as a general rule, do not plant more than one cultivar on your property, and use only a vegetatively propagated cultivar that has shown little or no evidence of self-seeding in your area. Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.

When it comes to selecting the right Chinese Silver Grass, the task may become daunting as there are over 150 varieties of Miscanthus sinensis to choose from. Below is a selection of the best and most distinctive Chinese Silver Grasses that could become the highlight of your garden. Many have been acknowledged by the Royal Horticultural Society as plants of outstanding excellence for garden decoration through its Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Guide Information

Hardiness 5 - 9
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Miscanthus - Maiden Grasses
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Maintenance Low
Soil pH Acid
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Salt
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens
Compare All Miscanthus - Maiden Grasses Great Plant Combination Ideas with Miscanthus - Maiden Grasses Guides with Miscanthus - Maiden Grasses

Botanik Foto

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 5 - 9
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Miscanthus - Maiden Grasses
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Maintenance Low
Soil pH Acid
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Salt
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens
Compare All Miscanthus - Maiden Grasses Great Plant Combination Ideas with Miscanthus - Maiden Grasses Guides with Miscanthus - Maiden Grasses

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.