Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’ (Porcupine Grass)

Award-winner Porcupine Grass ‘Strictus’ (Miscanthus sinensis) is a very distinctive ornamental grass with variegated foliage displaying unusual, horizontal, soft yellow rings along the gracefully arching leaves until it turns pale brown in the fall. It is complemented by attractive, pinkish plumes that emerge in early fall and turn silvery as they mature. This variety is similar to Miscanthus ‘Zebrinus’ in leaf markings but more upright in habit and compact.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Deciduous, this perennial grass easily grows in a dense, stiffly upright clump up to 6-8 ft. tall (180-240 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Protect from excessive winter wet. Drought and salt tolerant once established.
• It is versatile and can be used as a graceful accent plant in the garden, massed to create screens or hedges, or 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.