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Miscanthus sinensis ‘Silberfeder’

7 Nov

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Silberfeder’ (20/10/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late summer to autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 2.4m

Eventual Spread: 1.2m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Poaceae

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Silberfeder’ is a deciduous, perennial grass with a clump forming habit. Its mid green leaves are narrow, arching and bears a vertical band at the centre of each leaf. Its leaves turns a light tan colour in late autumn. Its silver flowers are fan shaped panicles and appear above its leaves. These persist on the plant through the winter months.

The species, Miscanthus sinensis, commonly known as Japanese Silver Grass, Chinese Silver Grass or Eulalia Grass, is native to much of eastern Asia including Korea, China and Japan.

The etymological root of the binomial name Miscanthus is derived from the Greek miskos meaning ‘stem’ and anthos meaning ‘flower’, referring to the stalked spikelets. Sinensis is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from China’.

The landscape architect may find Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’ useful as a low maintenance, tall grass. It looks good when planted en mass in windy sites as its foliage and flowers sway in the a breeze. It can also form a component in prairie style planing. Once established it is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Silberfeder’ may attract various species of birds that will use it as cover from predators.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Silberfeder’ Flower (20/10/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Miscanthus sinensis ‘Silberfeder’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2001.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Silberfeder’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate wet soils during the winter months.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Silberfeder’ requires little maintenance. It may be cut down to ground level in late winter before the new foliage appears. Large clumps may be divided in spring.

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Categories Autumn interest, Chinese Silver Grass, deciduous, Eulalia Grass, garden, Grass, Japanese Silver Grass, Miscanthus sinensis 'Silberfeder', Perennial, Plant of the Week, plants, Summer interest

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’

16 Oct

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’ (08/09/2012, Kew Garden, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1.5m

Eventual Spread: 1.5m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Poaceae

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’ is a deciduous, perennial grass with a clump forming habit. Its mid green leaves are narrow, arching and bears a vertical band at the centre of each leaf. Its leaves turn buff brown in late autumn and persist on the plant through the winter months. Its dark pink/ grey flowers are fan shaped panicles and appear above its leaves. These turn silver and persist on the plant through the winter months.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’ Flower (08/09/2012, Kew Garden, London)

The species, Miscanthus sinensis, commonly known as Japanese Silver Grass, Chinese Silver Grass or Eulalia Grass, is native to much of eastern Asia including Korea, China and Japan

Ecologically, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’ may attract various species of birds that will use it as cover from predators.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2001.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’ Winter (08/02/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’ requires little maintenance. It may be cut down to ground level in late winter before the new foliage appears. Large clumps may be divided in spring.

Landscape Architecture

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Categories Autumn interest, Chinese Silver Grass, deciduous, Eulalia Grass, garden, Grass, Japanese Silver Grass, Miscanthus sinensis 'Ferner Osten', Perennial, Plant of the Week, plants, Winter interest

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’

2 Oct

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ (08/09/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1.8m

Eventual Spread: 1.2m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Poaceae

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ is a deciduous, perennial grass with a clump forming habit. Its light green leaves are narrow, arching and bear vertical bands of cream or pale yellow. In warm summers it produces red/ brown (maturing to silvery/gray) flowers which are fan shaped panicles.

The species, Miscanthus sinensis, commonly known as Chinese Silver Grass or Eulalia Grass, is native to much of eastern Asia including Korea, China and Japan. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ is a selected sport of Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’. Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ is synonymous with Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus Variegatus’

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ Leaf (08/09/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ useful as a low maintenance, tall grass. It looks good when planted en mass in windswept sites as its foliage sways in a breeze. It can also form a component in prairie style planing. Once established it is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ may attract various species of birds that will use it as cover from predators.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2001.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ requires little maintenance. It may be cut down to ground level in late winter before the new foliage appears. Large clumps may be divided in spring.