Out in the Garden

Giant miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus)

Sam Mularz, Gardener

One of the plants that inspires the most questions in the Pollinator Garden is a grass that towers above people and plants alike, drawing comparisons to corn stalks and bamboo. This species is giant miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus), a perennial grass that earns its name by growing up to 12 feet tall in full sun. Beginning in September, giant miscanthus sends up flowering structures in airy plumes that capture early morning light and wave elegantly in the wind. Its visual interest extends throughout the year as its color changes to yellow-orange and then a gentle tan that stands out against wooded backdrops.

Along with the year-round spectacle, this tall grass also provides valuable habitat for wildlife; I was impressed to see that our giant miscanthus mostly maintained its upright structure even under snowfall last winter. While not a native species, giant miscanthus has been bred to produce sterile seed, making it a more suitable candidate for garden use than its aggressively-spreading parent species. Its drought tolerance once established and ability to thrive in a variety of soils without excessive fertilizer round out giant miscanthus’s potential as a supportive member of an ecosystem in sustainable, water-efficient gardens. In fact, giant miscanthus grows so efficiently and produces so much biomass that it is the topic of much research about carbon sequestration and renewable energy resources.

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