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Giant miscanthus is a huge and robust ornamental grass that can stand as tall as 15' and spread out more than 8 ft (2.4 m) across. The leaves are flat, but slightly folded, about an inch and a half wide, and 3 ft (0.9 m) long. They are deep green with a white midvein. The leaves arch gracefully outward from stout reedlike culms (stems) up to 2 in (5 cm) in diameter that grow upright from a central clump. The overall appearance is like a giant green water fountain. In late summer or autumn, giant miscanthus produces 18-20 in (46-51 cm) silvery silky plumes that are held high above the leaves on strong stems. The plumes stay silvery-white, but the foliage turns beige and russet in early winter. The leaves eventually drop off in winter, leaving just the vertical stems. Although it is technically a clump grass and not a turf-forming grass, giant miscanthus spreads and enlarges slowly with short underground rhizomes. Look for the name, "Giganteus" if you want this grass. It may be listed as a variety of Miscanthus sinensis, M. sacchariflorus, M. japonicus, or simply as Miscanthus 'Giganteus'.
Location
Culture
Use giant miscanthus as a stand-alone specimen or plant several in a line to form a screen - no, make that a barricade! Use it to anchor a mixed border, but you probably will want to keep it in the background. Giant miscanthus tolerates fairly wet soils and often is planted at waterside. The persistent stems and long-stalked flowers provide vertical structure and form through the winter. Giant miscanthus tolerates salty and coastal conditions, and can be used in seaside gardens, but withered, winter foliage is likely to be blown off in strong winds. Lower leaves tend to wither and drop off late in the season anyway, leaving a bare zone that may beg for something planted in front. The flowerheads are used in floral arrangements, both fresh and dried plumes persisting indefinitely.
Definitely not for the small garden, giant miscanthus is an imposing and dominating plant, an imperial grass that plays second fiddle to no other. Use it where you want it to be seen! And, know that it will continue to enlarge (slowly) and be difficult to remove if you change your mind. This and other species of Miscanthus grow so much during a single growing season that they are used for biomass energy production in Europe and Asia. Steve Christman 7/15/00; updated 9/5/03
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