Post-Traumatic Miscanthus Disorder

I have a love / hate relationship with cosmetic grasses . The first cosmetic grass I planted many decade ago was ‘ Gracillimus ’ miscanthus ( Miscanthus sinensis‘Gracillimus ’ ) . Now before you take up furiously typing a letter of business organisation , this was back before we knew how invasive and thuggish it could be . decorative grass — mostly cultivars ofMiscanthus — were being promoted in every garden center as the “ new ” and “ trendy ” must - have plant . I ’m a sucker for anything pronounce as such , so I embed a fistful in my garden . The first year was bully , the 2nd year matter started to get out of hand , and by the third yr the ‘ Gracillimus ’ had swallowed up far more garden veridical estate than its nursery tag had indicated it would . It eat on its neighboring perennials as well as a portion of my drive . And although I never experienced the rearing reseeding that would later be known as a hallmark of many miscanthus , the intact ordeal impart me with a sorry feeling about decorative grasses .

As the long time go by , I came to plant many other cosmetic grasses , those with far less strong-growing tendencies . Nevertheless , many of the one I chose still got too braggy and needed biannual segmentation to expect good , or were too small to really add the texture and motion I was calculate for . In read the late article by Brent Horvath in our November / December 2020 issue , I discovered that there are a fistful of pick ornamental grass that are well described as not too large and not too minuscule . Brent has spent years multiply and trialing perennials , make him a great resourcefulness for in - depth and trustworthy works information . I walked away require several of the medium - sized green goddess on his inclination — and not just because they wo n’t give me PTMD ( post - traumatic miscanthus upset ) .

Learn more :

contract up for our approaching webinar : The Best Low - Maintenance Shrubs for Your Garden

lease ’s indicate About Plants Podcast , Episode 51 : Great Grasses

Is it fine to Plant Miscanthus ?

October Regional To - Do list

Fine Gardening recommend Products

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine horticulture receive a commission for items purchased through links on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate publicizing programs .

Get our latest tips , how - to article , and instructional telecasting sent to your inbox .

Signing you up …

conjoin Fine Gardening for a free engaging bouncy webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned industrial plant pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical handler …

When I spot a especial grit dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delightful color pattern …

When we only prioritise plants we want over plants our landscape painting needs , each time of year is filled with a never - cease inclination of chores : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , repair , and fertilizing , with …

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be measured when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re probable to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a distich …

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden

Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill

Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage

4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard

All Access member get more

signalise up for afree trialand get access to ALL our regional depicted object , plus the relaxation of the fellow member - only depicted object library .

Start Free Trial

Get complete land site access to expert advice , regional subject , and more , plus the mark cartridge holder .

Start your complimentary trial

Already a member?sign in