Variegated Maiden Grass
Variegated maiden grass is a large ornamental grass grown for its green and white-striped leaves. The clump is narrower at the base and wider at the top, with graceful, outward-arching leaves.
Its large size and the unusual color of its leaves makes it an interesting accent plant in the landscape. If the growing season is warm enough, reddish-tan flower heads emerge in fall.
Variegated Maiden Grass
Variegated maiden grass is a large ornamental grass grown for its green and white-striped leaves. The clump is narrower at the base and wider at the top, with graceful, outward-arching leaves.
Its large size and the unusual color of its leaves makes it an interesting accent plant in the landscape. If the growing season is warm enough, reddish-tan flower heads emerge in fall.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus'
Pronunciation
miss-KANTH-us sy-NEN-sis
Mature Height
4 to 5 ft.
Mature Spread
2 to 3 ft.
Water usage
One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.
Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.
Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.
Flower Color
silver to buff
Bloom time
late summer
Colorado Native
No
Natural Habitat
Asia
Light Requirements
sun
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 4-9
Elevation Limit
hardy to 7,000 ft.
Performance
Variegated maiden grass has been a nice, arching ornamental grass at the Xeriscape Garden. The white stripes on the leaves give it a lighter color in the landscape, which is a nice contrast to other plants.
It requires more water than other ornamental grasses at the Xeriscape Garden. In addition, it does not flower in cool summers or summers with early fall frosts.
Maintenance
In early spring, cut the old growth to ground level.