| Identity card of the plant | |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Miscanthus sinensis |
| Common name | Miscanthus, Chinese Reed, Eulalie, elephant grass, earth hair |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Type | Grasses, grasses |
| Size | Miscanthus sinensis forms clumps of large grasses that grow over the years. Their height can reach up to 4 m and width 1 m. |
| Foliage | Its green foliage, variegated with white or silver, is deciduous. It is adorned with a yellow tint and dry in winter. |
| Flowering | A flowering plant, Miscanthus sinensis produces at the end of summer (from August to November) many feathery spikes with pink, silver, purple or golden panicles. |
| Exhibition | Sunny or partial shade |
| Ground | Clayey, calcareous, humus or sandy, Miscanthus adapts to all deep and cool soils. |
| Rusticity | Able to withstand the winter cold, Miscanthus sinensis defends itself very well against wind and sea spray. |
Native to Asia, this grass nicknamed the "Chinese Reed" adapts to many environments. Its low water requirement and deciduous foliage make Miscanthus sinensis a hardy plant. Resistant to wind and spray, it has its place in the massifs by the sea.
Where to plant a miscanthus?
Earth hair or elephant grasses, Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental plant of imposing size. Its clumped foliage forms long stems that can reach up to 4 meters long in summer.
It is not trivial if it is called "Chinese Reed". By its natural grace and lightness, it is perfectly suited as a secondary hedge of flower beds. Its airy appearance and foliage with a silver plume also match the modern and refined gardens.
Miscanthus sinensis requires very little maintenance Wojciech Kozielczyk
Miscanthus sinensis requires very little maintenance and a low need for water. Rustic, it resists wind, spray and drought, which makes Eulalia the seaside ornamental plant par excellence.
How to plant Miscanthus sinensis?
- Wait until spring to plant it.
- Look for a sunny or semi-shaded corner.
- Offer him a space of one square meter in the ground or planter.
- Dig a hole 60 cm to 80 cm wide.
- Bring to the topsoil, a little potting soil and add 20% sand to lighten the soil.
- Water abundantly in the first year (3 or 4 waterings in summer).
Does miscanthus grow fast?
A perennial plant, miscanthus is a fast-growing grass. Its resistance to cold, drought and spray allows it to develop in height and width in all weathers.
Its tuft-shaped shape can give miscanthus a certain magnitude. If you want to control its growth, you can prune it: fold its foliage 15 cm above the ground at the end of winter. Keep in mind, however, that it takes 3 years to reach its full potential.
Its tuft-shaped shape can give the miscanthus a certain magnitude
Is Miscanthus sinensis invasive?
With long, slender stem foliage reminiscent of bamboo and reed, Miscanthus sinensis is often accused of being an invasive plant. However, there are many non-invasive Chinese Reeds. Prefer triploid (sterile) varieties if you want to limit its development.
What is the most beautiful miscanthus?
Size, flowering, colors, function... There are no less than a hundred varieties of miscanthus. Spotted in appearance like Miscanthus sinensis Zebrinus, or sober like Miscanthus sinensis 'Kleine Silberspinne', there is something for everyone!
If you want to plant it in a hedge, prefer Miscanthus sinensis gracillimus. You will appreciate its fine and slender foliage that ripples gracefully in the wind.