Maiden Grass, Eulalia

Plant type: Ornamental grass
Botanical name: Miscanthus
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 to 9, depending on selection

A low-maintenance, warm-season ornamental grass that is generally clump-forming and very durable in the landscape. Tassel-like plumes appear in late summer, about September or October. Average size is three to ten tall and about two to six feet wide, depending on selection.

How to use it: In masses, in containers, near a water garden or as a specimen plant. Use as dried or fresh cutflower. Combine with other grasses to create a naturalized planting. Winter interest.

Culture: Prefers full sun and tolerates a variety of soil conditions. Also heat- and humidity-tolerant. In late-winter or early-spring, cut back to about six to eight inches tall. When the center of the clump starts to die out or simply to control spread, divide. Taller selections may require staking. Propagated by division or seed. May have problems with mealybug or leaf blight.

Special Notes: Valued for its light-textured foliage, fall color and winter interest. Attracts wildlife, including birds. Warning: Maiden grass has a tendency to become invasive via self-seeding in warmer climates.

Selected Cultivars