Alphabetical Plant Listing

Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus 'Cosmopolitan' (Chinese Silver Grass)

Maiden Grass 'Cosmopolitan', Eulalia 'Cosmopolitan', Chinese Silver Grass 'Cosmopolitan', Japanese Silver Grass 'Cosmopolitan'


Tall and spectacular, award-winner Chinese Silver Grass 'Cosmopolitan' (Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus) is a very remarkable ornamental grass grown for its luminous, variegated foliage of arching green leaves with creamy margins and pale green midribs, which turn to golden yellow in the fall, before fading to straw-beige by winter. Elegant copper flower plumes appear in late summer or early fall, well above the foliage. They delicately change to silvery white as they mature and provide excellent good winter interest. It looks fabulous when planted with large-leaved perennials for contrast.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Deciduous, this perennial grass can be easily grown in a dense, upright, rounded fountain-like up to 6-8 ft. tall (180-240 cm) and 4-5 ft. wide (120-150 cm). Standing out beautifully in the garden, its fine-textured foliage sways gracefully in the slightest breeze and delicately softens any landscapes.
  • 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 6' – 8' (180cm – 240cm)
Spread 4' – 5' (120cm – 150cm)
Spacing 60" – 72" (150cm – 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, Salt
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Modern Garden, Prairie and Meadow

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Photo courtesy 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.


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 6' – 8' (180cm – 240cm)
Spread 4' – 5' (120cm – 150cm)
Spacing 60" – 72" (150cm – 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, Salt
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, 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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Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus 'Cosmopolitan' (Chinese Silver Grass)

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