Not only flowering plants and perennials can decorate a garden, more and more grasses are also finding their way there. A particularly attractive eye-catcher is the giant miscanthus (bot. Miscanthus x giganteus), also known as elephant grass. However, it does not produce germinable seeds.
How do you plant giant miscanthus?
To plant giant miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus), choose a sunny to partially shaded location with loose, humus-rich soil. Plant in spring or summer, give the plant enough space to grow (up to 4 m high, 2 m wide) and ensure sufficient planting distance.
Location and soil
Giant miscanthus also thrives in partial shade, but prefers a sunny location. There's even a chance that your elephant grass will bloom in the fall. Overall, the plant becomes more vital and stronger in a bright location.
The soil should be loose and humus-rich; you can loosen compacted soil with a little sand and possibly well-rotted compost. Avoid waterlogging; if necessary, a drainage layer of coarse gravel in the planting hole can help.
When is the best time to plant?
Giant miscanthus is hardy, but should have enough time to grow before the first frost. Planting in spring is ideal, but is generally possible throughout the summer.
What should I consider when planting?
The easy-care giant Miscanthus bears its name for good reason, it can really grow very large. Under optimal conditions, you should plan for a maximum size of around three to four meters high and up to two meters wide. Give your elephant grass an appropriately large space so that it can be shown to its best advantage.
Elephant grass is ideal as a solitary plant, but also as a privacy screen when planted in a group. But even then, the individual plants need a distance of around one meter from the neighboring plants. Alternatively, you can plant your giant miscanthus in a pot.
The most important things in brief:
- maximum height: approx. 3 to 4 m
- maximum width: approx. 1.5 to 2 m
- hardy
- Flowering time: September or October, but only when there is enough sun
- Flowers: red, rhizome-like
- ideal location: sunny to partially shaded
- ideal soil: humus, nutrient-rich, sandy to loamy
Tip
If your garden is small or there is only just enough space for elephant grass, then you can also plant a different variety of miscanthus.
