Miscanthus sinensis 'Goliath'
- Giant Maiden Grass
Description: warm season*; clump forming
Foliage is green; blade width is 2 cm (3/4"); 200-250 cm (80-100")
in height
Flowers Sept through frost; 250-275 cm (100-110") above foliage
Ideal conditions: full sun; moist fertile soil; tolerates
a wide range of soil types; moderately drought tolerant; holds up to
wind and snow
Coldest Zone: 5 - 9, possibly colder
(find your zone; further info on
plant hardiness)
Suggested uses: specimen, border, summer/fall/winter
screen, hedge, background plant, around gazebos, by the water, dried
arrangements
When to divide: when it shows signs of life in the
spring, continuing until the new growth is about 18" tall; only
in the spring (further info on dividing
grasses)
When to plant or transplant: plant bare root plants only in late spring to early summer, when the soil is warm, about the same time you plant your bean or corn seeds. The roots will
grow only in warm soil. Planting too early in the spring may cause the
roots to rot. Similar story in the fall when the roots may not grow enough
to establish before the cold and wet of winter, resulting in the demise
of the plant.
When to cut back: we enjoy the foliage of Miscanthus
so much that we like to leave it standing until the new growth starts
to appear, possibly as late as May. We also like the combination of
the tan foliage and spring bulbs. Cut back to about 6" from the
crown of the plant.
Partner with: Andropogon
gerardii, Sorghastrum nutans,
Pennisetum alopecuroides, Achillea
'Credo', Coreopsis tripteris, Sedum 'Matrona', Veronica crinita 'Mammoth'
Season of interest: July till spring; will likely remain standing all winter
Drought tolerance rating: 3 (water to root depth once a week); further info
Recommended spacing between plants: 125-175 cm (50-70")
why such a difference?
Native to: Miscanthus sinensis is native to marshes,
slopes, mountainsides of Eastern Asia and west to Africa. It is a source
for thatching material for temple roofs and homes.
Plant form: upright and arching
Pronunciation: Miscanthus (mis-KAN-thus) sinensis (sin-EN-sis)
Sizes available: n/a in 2010
Canadian
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*a warm season grass likes to grow in warm weather. Before it will
show signs of life in the spring, the soil must warm up, and be warm
for possibly as long as two weeks.
More ornamental
grasses
Compare Miscanthus sinensis 'Goliath' to our other
grasses in this handy chart.
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