Chinese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) - Grown from Miscanthus sinensis seeds, Chinese Silver Grass is one of the easiest and most adaptable ornamental grasses to grow. Commonly called Maiden Grass or Eulalia Grass, this ornamental sports long, silky tresses of shining silvery-cream all summer long. In autumn, the cold weather turns them deep gold, for a long-lasting colorful display in the landscape or the vase. Miscanthus is a drought tolerant grass perfect for xeriscape landscaping where water conservation is desired.

Select the spot for Miscanthus sinensis Chinese Silver Grass carefully as it will reach up to 98 inches tall and spread 36 inches wide in the sunny garden. This perennial drought tolerant ornamental grass is useful as a screen, hedge, or specimen planting. It has a clump forming habit in which the leaves grow up and then cascade out and down like a fountain. The plumes arch over slightly, creating a lovely rippled effect in the breeze.

How To Grow Chinese Silver Grass From Ornamental Grass Seeds: Start Chinese Silver Grass seeds indoors in the early spring. Use small pots filled with seed starting mix. Place the ornamental grass seeds onto the soil, gently press the seeds into the soil and keep them moist. Transplant outdoors once soil temperatures have warmed and frost danger has passed. Ornamental grass care includes cutting the old foliage back to the ground before spring to let the new foliage emerge. Miscanthus has no frequently occurring disease or pest problems, and is very hardy, drought resistant grass once established.

How To Grow Chinese Silver Grass From Ornamental Grass Seeds: Start Japanese Silver Grass seeds indoors in the early spring. Use small pots filled with seed starting mix. Place the ornamental grass seeds onto the soil and cover thinly with sand or soil and keep the seeds moist. Transplant outdoors once soil temperatures have warmed and frost danger has passed. Ornamental grass care includes cutting the old foliage back to the ground before spring to let the new foliage emerge. Miscanthus has no frequently occurring disease or pest problems, and is very hardy once established. Perfect for the xeriscape landscape where water conservation and drought tolerance are required.

Miscanthus ornamental grass creates large clumps and provides a wonderful fall display of showy plumes that remain attractive all winter. USDA hardiness can vary, but most plants should survive in Zone 4 or higher. At the end of summer, the foliage dries and turns a light tan shade for the winter. Trim to the ground in late winter or early spring. If you desire more Miscanthus ornamental grass clumps, you may be divide in spring before new growth appears.