Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus'
moderate
silver to buff
late summer
4 to 5 ft.
2 to 3 ft.
No
Asia
sun
USDA zones 4-9
hardy to 7,000 ft.
Variegated maiden grass is a large ornamental grass grown for its green and white-striped leaves. The clump is narrower at the base and wider at the top, with graceful, outward-arching leaves.
Its large size and the unusual color of its leaves and makes it an interesting accent plant in the landscape. If the growing season is warm enough, reddish-tan flower heads emerge in fall.
Variegated maiden grass has been a nice, arching ornamental grass at the Xeriscape Garden. The white stripes on the leaves give it a lighter color in the landscape, which is a nice contrast to other plants.
It requires more water than other ornamental grasses at the Xeriscape Garden. In addition, it does not flower in cool summers or summers with early fall frosts.
In early spring, cut the old growth to ground level.