Variegated Maiden Grass
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Variegatus’
If you want to create the landscape of your dreams, make some room for the variegated maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Variegatus‘). With its graceful arch and delicate texture, this maiden grass stands out in any garden or yard. Don’t miss out on adding the bright variegated maiden grass to your landscape.
Variegated Maiden Grass Attributes
The variegated maiden grass is also known as Eulalia grass. Whatever you want to call it, this maiden grass is a fine-textured ornamental that sparkles in your outdoor spaces. This maiden grass features charming multi-colored foliage. The leaves are ¼ to ¾ inches wide, and there is a horizontal yellow or white stripe on the blades. Since the foliage is delicate, it sways softly with a light breeze. You can expect the foliage to transform into a golden tone by the fall. That beautiful color persists throughout the winter.
Along with the green foliage, you will notice the pinkish-red flower heads that float above the plant. These seed heads extend above the maiden grass. By early fall, the seeds open to expose red-tinted plumes. Those plumes eventually turn white and last all through the winter.
Details
FEATURES
- Watering Needs: Once established, water occasionally
- Botanical Pronunciation: mis-KAN-thus sin-EN-sis var-i-e-GA-tus
- Deciduous/evergreen: Herbaceous
- Growth rate: Moderate
- Average landscape size: Moderate growing; reaches 6 ft. tall, 3 to 5 ft. wide.
- Special features: Clump Forming, Dramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Extreme Cold Hardiness, Tolerates Poor Soils, Waterwise
- Dramatic Foliage: Color, Easy Care
- Foliage color: Green
- Blooms: Fall
- Flower color: White
- Flower attributes: Showy Flowers
- Garden style: Asian/Zen, Contemporary
- Design Ideas: An exceptional light minty green and white accent for beds and borders, and large rock gardens. Plant as a vertical accent among low-growing plants or at the corners of a square patio. Line it up as background foliage for a bed of dwarf shrubs and perennials. Perfect near water gardens and fountains as wildlife cover, to disguise mechanical pumps or filters and to give the illusion of reeds. Also lovely in cobalt-blue or mint-green ceramic pots for patio, porch or terrace.
- Companion Plants: Achillea, Alchemilla, Chrysanthemum, Coreopsis, Dianthus, Erigeron, Filipendula
Variegated Maiden Grass Landscape Uses
This maiden grass grows about 5 to 6 feet tall and spreads out to 3 feet wide. With its neat, graceful, and upright clump, the variegated maiden grass adds a touch of sophistication to any landscape. The variegated maiden grass makes a perfect accent piece as a home foundation planting. Its delicate leaves bring some texture and soft color to a variety of outdoor spaces.
If you want your garden or yard to stand out, these grasses create an exceptional mass planting. You can add several grass clumps for some added interest to large open areas. For the best results, these maiden grasses need about 8 feet of space to achieve a lush appearance. Variegated maiden grasses are also ideal for a grassy hedge. You can create a fuller look by spacing these plants about 3 feet apart.
Finally, the variegated maiden grass flourishes in those container gardens. You might want to add it alone in a separate container or mix it with various flowers and plants. If you live in an area where the temperatures drop, you can still use the variegated maiden grass as a container plant. When the temperatures start to fall, make sure to bring the ornamental grass inside your home.
It can provide year-round beauty for many different landscapes. These maiden grasses boost your pond’s appearance or can be the centerpiece of an ornamental grass garden. If you have a rock garden, make sure to add the variegated maiden grass to provide some contrast to those harsh landscaping elements. Don’t forget to snip off a few of the reddish plumes in the fall. These flowers stand out in your dried flower arrangements
Variegated Maiden Grass Planting and Care
The variegated maiden grass can be easily grown in most landscapes. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9. From sandy to clay conditions, this maiden grass loves a wide range of soils. However, they do prefer to be planted in moist soil with average fertility. Once the grass has been established, it can tolerate drier soils. Any spots with soggy or wet soils should be avoided with this maiden grass. The variegated maiden grass must be planted in an area with at least six hours of sunlight.
There is not much maintenance with this maiden grass. You should prune the grass on an annual basis. Before the new growth emerges in the early spring, make sure to cut back the plants to above the ground. With this schedule, you can ensure that you have a healthy maiden grass for the spring.
Select the Variegated Maiden Grass for Your Space
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Variegatus’
With its multi-colored foliage, the variegated maiden grass is a charming plant for your landscape. The leaves create a unique look with the white strip that forms in the center. This beautiful maiden grass produces red seed heads during the autumn. Along with the color during the growing season, this variegated maiden grass adds some winter interest to your yard. If you are ready to make this ornamental grass the centerpiece of your yard or just want to use it as an accent, make sure to contact Arbor Valley Nursery. We have a wide variety of landscaping products, including the spectacular variegated maiden grass. Please take a few minutes to fill out the contact form to learn more about this unique maiden grass.
