Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerant of a wide range of soils from well-drained sandy soils to the heavy clays present in much of the St. Louis area. Prefers moist soils. Best in full sun. Less vigorous with decreased flowering and tendency to flop in too much shade. Tolerant of summer heat and humidity. Clumps slowly expand in circumference by short rhizomes, but typically retain tight clump shape. Foliage should be left standing throughout the winter for visual interest and crown protection. Cut foliage close to the ground in late winter just before new shoots appear. Propagate by division of the crown. This grass will reseed to the point of being somewhat invasive in the milder parts of its growing range. Mulch helps prevent reseeding.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Miscanthus sinensis, commonly known as Chinese silver grass, Japanese silver grass or eulalia grass, is a clump-forming warm season grass that typically grows to 3-7’ tall. It is native to lowlands and lower alpine areas in Japan, Korea and China. It has escaped gardens and naturalized in over 25 states in the Central and Eastern U.S. east of the Mississippi River plus in several western States including Colorado and California.
This grass features a dense clump of upward-arching stems and leaves which give it a rounded, fountain-like appearance. Linear leaves (to 3-4’ long and 3/8” wide) have tapered tips, serrate margins and whitish to silvery midribs. Foliage often turns attractive shades of yellow to orange by mid-fall before gradually fading to beige-tan for winter. Pink to red flowers in feathery, whisk-like, loose terminal panicles (8-10” long) bloom above the foliage from late August to October. Flower panicles gradually turn beige by mid-fall as the seeds mature. Flower panicles and foliage both retain good arching shape, beige color and ornamental interest throughout winter, with enhanced attractiveness often coming from a covering of new fallen snow.
Miscanthus sinensis will spread somewhat invasively in the landscape, particularly in some of the milder areas of its growing range. It often initially spreads to disturbed sites such as roadsides, railroad right-of-ways or woodland margins.
Genus name comes from the Greek words miskos meaning a stem and anthos meaning flower in reference to the stalked spikelets.
Specific epithet means Chinese.
This grass was once included in the genus Eulalia, but was subsequently reclassified to the genus Miscanthus with retention of its common name of Eulalia grass by some gardeners.
'Punktchen' is a eulalia grass cultivar which is noted for its erect, spiky, compact form, its tall flower plumes and its horizontally banded foliage reminiscent of the popular M. s. 'Strictus'. It is one of the shorter Miscanthus cultivars, typically forming an upright foliage clump to 3-4' tall, however it sends up unusually long flower stalks (to 3' above the foliage), thus bringing the total height of the grass to 5-7' tall when in flower. Features narrow (to 3/8" wide), finely-textured, dark green leaves with zebra-striped, golden yellow bands extending horizontally across the leaves at approximately 4" intervals. Foliage gradually fades to tan after frost. Tiny reddish-brown flowers appear in tassel-like inflorescences well above the foliage in late summer, gradually turning into silvery white plumes in fall. Flower plumes persist well into winter providing good winter interest. Synonymous with and sometimes sold as Miscanthus sinensis 'Little Dot' which is the English translation of the German cultivar name.
Problems
No frequently occurring insect or disease problems. In some areas of the U.S., miscanthus mealybug and miscanthus blight can be significant problems. Miscanthus mealybug causes stunted growth and is difficult to eradicate because it lives inside the stems. Miscanthus blight is a fungal disease which attacks the blades and sheaths. Leaf rust may occur. Invasive spread is also a concern in some areas.
Uses
Versatile ornamental grass. Accent, specimen or small grouping. Borders, meadows, wild gardens, cottage gardens, naturalized areas or pond/water garden peripheries. Dried flowers are long lasting.