Alphabetical Plant Listing

Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' (Chinese Silver Grass)

Maiden Grass 'Morning Light', Eulalia 'Morning Light', Chinese Silver Grass 'Morning Light', Japanese Silver Grass 'Morning Light'


Regarded as the best of all Miscanthus species and cultivars, award-winner Chinese Silver Grass 'Morning Light' (Miscanthus sinensis) is a remarkable ornamental grass. First, it features a unique and exquisite vase shape that stands out beautifully in the garden. Second, its fine-textured foliage that sways gracefully in the slightest breeze and delicately softens any landscapes, is slightly ivory variegated, making it look silver from a distance. Finally, this graceful ornamental grass is one of the best grasses for winter color in mild climates.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Blooming later than most Miscanthus cultivars, 'Morning Light' displays tiny crimson-red plume flowers in late summer or early fall, which delicately change to silvery white as they mature and provide good winter interest.
  • Rarely flopping, this striking ornamental grass can be easily grown in a dense, upright, rounded fountain-like clump, up to 4-6 ft. tall (120-180 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Protect from excessive winter wet. Drought and salt tolerant once established.
  • Very versatile, it can be used as a graceful accent plant in the garden, massed to create screens or hedges, planted in borders, coastal gardens, city gardens, cottage gardens or prairie plantings.
  • This Chinese Silver Grass is generally pest and disease free. It is deer and rabbit resistant but attracts birds.
  • Cut foliage to the ground in late winter before new shoots appear. Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by division in spring.
  • Native to Asia, 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.

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Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 9
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Miscanthus - Maiden Grasses
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4' – 6' (120cm – 180cm)
Spread 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spacing 48" – 72" (120cm – 180cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Salt
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Modern Garden, Prairie and Meadow

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Amy Martin Landscape Design, GAP Photos/Richard Bloom, Missouri Botanical Garden

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.


Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 9
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Miscanthus - Maiden Grasses
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4' – 6' (120cm – 180cm)
Spread 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spacing 48" – 72" (120cm – 180cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Salt
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Modern Garden, Prairie and Meadow

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Miscanthus - Maiden Grasses

Guides with Miscanthus - Maiden Grasses

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