Miscanthus (bot. Miscanthus sinensis) is a plant species that comes from East Asia and there are very different varieties. They vary not only in size, but also in color and shape.
What sizes do different miscanthus varieties reach?
Miscanthus comes in different sizes: small varieties such as “Nanus Variegatus” or “Morning Light” grow up to approx.1 m high, medium-sized varieties such as “Eulalia” or “Little Silver Spider” grow to 1.5 m, while large varieties such as the giant Miscanthus reach up to 4 m.
What should I pay attention to when choosing a variety?
The different varieties hardly differ at all in terms of care. Almost all of them prefer a sunny location, but can also tolerate partial shade. Miscanthus also feels very comfortable at the edge of the pond. The soil should be slightly moist or at least fresh. Despite all the differences, all varieties are considered hardy.
The main criterion when choosing a variety should therefore be the space available in your garden. If you would like to plant giant miscanthus, then allow a few square meters for it. It grows up to 2.5 meters wide and needs a distance from the neighboring plant of at least one meter, but preferably one and a half meters. For dwarf varieties, however, a planting distance of approx.80 centimeters.
How big does Chinese reed get?
The maximum size of your miscanthus depends on the variety you choose, as does the speed of growth. The giant Miscanthus can grow up to four meters high, small varieties have a maximum height of around one to one and a half meters, the medium ones have a final height of around two meters.
Small varieties of Miscanthus:
- Micsanthus oligostachyus “Nanus Variegatus”: delicate growth, forms runners, short, fine leaves, flowers in July and August, maximum height between 40 and 60 cm
- Miscanthus sinensis “Morning Light”: clumpy growth without runners (rhizomes), slow growing, white colored leaves, no flowers, about 50 to 100 cm tall
- Dwarf Miscanthus “Adagio”: clump-like, compact growth, narrow, green-white striped leaves, up to approx. 1 m high
Medium-sized varieties of Miscanthus:
- Miscanthus sinensis gracillimus, Miscanthus “Eulalia: clump-like growth, narrow green leaves, up to 1.5 m tall, flowers only rarely, attractive autumn color
- Miscanthus sinensis “Little Fountain”: compact growth, green leaves, numerous silvery-pink flowers, approx. 1.5 m high, no runners (rhizomes), flowering period from July
- Miscanthus sinensis “Little Silver Spider”: relatively upright growth, very filigree, greenish-blue colored leaves, brownish in autumn, up to approx. 1.5 m tall
- Miscanthus sinensis “Red Chief”: compact, hemispherical growth, red flower fronds, flowering period from August to October, bright orange-red autumn color, up to about 1.5 m high
Large varieties of Miscanthus:
- Miscanthus x giganteus (giant miscanthus) “Aksel Olsen”: upright growth, overhanging, white-striped leaves, up to 4 m high, rarely flowers
- Miscanthus japonicum giganteus: clumpy growth without rhizome formation, very fast growing, up to a maximum of 5 m high (usually 3 to 4 m), green leaves, no flowers
Tip
You can also find the right miscanthus for a small garden; you can even cultivate it in a pot.
