The use of miscanthus in landscape design. Features of propagation, planting and care. Ornamental grasses: about miscanthus from the personal experience of Tatyana Zheltovskaya

These plants include miscanthus, a representative of cereals, which during the period of active growth and flowering has a very beautiful shape, reminiscent of a fountain. Miscanthus is a southern representative that perfectly knows how to adapt to climatic conditions. For this, as well as for its decorative properties, this crop is valued among gardeners and landscape designers. Miscanthus, planting and caring for which is not difficult even for beginners. experienced gardeners, will become the central decoration of any lawn or pond.

In this article we will look at the characteristics of miscanthus and highlight the main types and varieties of this crop. We will also tell you about the main nuances of agricultural technology for growing miscanthus in open ground.

Features and description of miscanthus

Miscanthus is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Poa family or Poaceae. This culture also has another name - it is often called fanberry, which is most likely due to the shape of the plant itself. During flowering, an adult plant is a large pile of stems that flow like a fountain. The natural habitat of this culture is the territory of the tropics and subtropics of Asia, Africa and Australia. 2 types of miscanthus can be found in the nature of Russia, which are also widely used in landscape design. This plant is famous for its appearance, the decorative effect of which is achieved with the help of beautiful weeping leaves and tall peduncles with fragrant flowers. In nature, they can be found on the banks of reservoirs, in the floodplains of rivers and in valleys.

WITH Greek language The name of this plant can be translated using two words: “mischos”, which means stem, and “anthos” - flower. This is literally unusual plant can be called a “pedunculated flower,” which was assigned for its very long peduncles with inflorescences at the tops.

Description of Miscanthus:

• Miscanthus is an ornamental grass that came from the tropics and has gained wide popularity in many countries around the world.
• This cereal grass is widely used in landscape design and is used to decorate lawns, artificial reservoirs and ponds.
• Miscanthus is perennial flower, which has a rather long creeping rhizome. Thanks to this, the plant can, even in the driest periods, reach moisture with its roots at a depth of up to 6 m. The creeping rhizome creates a wide turf.
• Miscanthus can reach a height of 80 cm to 2 m, and sometimes up to 3 m, depending on the specific type and varieties.
• The shape of the plant itself is formed with the help of erect shoots, quite strong and durable.
• This grass is especially decorative thanks to its weeping leaves, which are located at the bottom of the stems.
• The leaves are 1-2 cm wide, have a long lanceolate linear form.
• The surface of the leaves is quite hard, leathery, and covered with scales. The color of the leaves is green, with a whitish stripe along the center.
• The leaves hang from the shoots like a fountain, which gives the plant a very beautiful and decorative appearance.
• From the middle of the bush of stems grow long, up to 30 cm, flower stalks, on the tops of which there are inflorescences.
• The inflorescences are presented in the form of panicles, consisting of small spikelets, reaching 0.3-0.7 cm in length. At the beginning of flowering, the panicles have a pinkish tint, but over time they become silvery, which makes the plant even more decorative.
• Flowering begins in mid-July or early August. However, in fairly cool temperatures and short summers, flowering may occur later or not at all.
• This culture is characterized by fairly rapid growth and mass gain.
• The winter hardiness of miscanthus varies depending on the specific variety. There are quite capricious species that require shelter from the cold, and there are also species that tolerate our winters well.
• Miscanthus is used not only in landscape design, but also as biological fuel. As a combustion product, it produces a large amount of energy without leaving much waste.

Variety of miscanthus species and varieties

From subtropical and tropical areas, approximately 40 different species of miscanthus have spread throughout the world, which have their own characteristics in planting and care. Among the most popular are giant miscanthus, Chinese miscanthus, sucrose miscanthus and others. Let's consider each species and the most common varieties of this unique plant in Russia.

Miscanthus chinensis ( miscanthus sinensis)

• The natural habitat of this type of miscanthus is the territory of China, Korea, and Russia.
• It has good winter hardiness, which is why many of its varieties are most widespread in countries with harsh climates.
• It is a fairly powerful grass with a short creeping rhizome.
• The plant itself is formed by erect stems, which are located rather loosely in the bush.
• This type of grass can reach a maximum height of 3 m.
• The lower part of the stems is covered with scaly leaves, which have a linear and narrow shape. In the very center of the leaf plate there is a thick rib, which seems to divide the leaf into two parts.
• The surface of the leaves is hard and slightly rough. In autumn, the foliage turns yellow, and in some varieties red.
• Chinese miscanthus blooms with single-flowered spikelets, which are collected in loose panicles. Their color is pinkish or reddish, which then turns into silver.
• Blooms from August to October.
• Today, there are about 100 varieties of this type of cereal, with different levels of winter hardiness.

Popular varieties of Chinese miscanthus:

• Variety "Blondo". This plant can reach 2 meters in height. It has a very good level of cold resistance. It can withstand frosts down to minus 34 degrees below zero, therefore it belongs to zone 4.
• Variety "Silberfeder". Also applies to frost resistance zone 4. They are distinguished by rather wide, up to 2 cm, dark green leaves and tall peduncles on which there are feather-like panicles.
• Variety "Flamingo". This plant can be classified as frost hardiness zone 5, because it can withstand cold temperatures down to minus 29 degrees. It also grows well in our climatic conditions. It blooms with beautiful pink panicles.
• Variety "Zebrinus". This is a very old and popular variety of Chinese miscanthus. It is distinguished by variegated foliage color. The bush can reach 2.5 m in height, so it requires support.
• Variety "Variegatus". It is also distinguished by the variegated color of its leaves, which are represented by long leaf blades of greenish-white color. It can reach 1.5-2 m in height. Flowers with red tops open on the peduncles.

Miscanthus gigantea

• Miscanthus giant is a hybrid species, the origin of which is not completely clear to all scientists.
• This plant can reach 3 meters in height.
• The stems that form a lush and dense shrub are erect and often require support.
• Weeping leaves are attached to the bottom of the stem and hang down the sides of the plant, making it look like a beautiful fountain.
• The leaves are dark green in color, reaching 2-2.5 cm in width. In the center of the leaf blade there is a hard vein and a white stripe.
• Flowering begins in late summer or early autumn. Pinkish panicles bloom at the tops of the peduncles, which later become silvery.
• It has excellent winter hardiness; giant miscanthus belongs to zone 4 and can withstand frosts down to minus 34 degrees.

Miscanthus sucrose

• The natural habitat of this type of cereal is the territory of Russia, China, Korea and Japan.
• The plant can reach 2 m in height.
• The stems are erect, bare, without any covering.
• At the bottom of the shoots, linear leaves are attached, which can reach 60 cm in length.
• Flowering begins in July and continues until October, until the onset of frost.
• Quite long, up to 25 cm, panicles of a pinkish or white-silver hue bloom at the tops of the peduncles.

These types of miscanthus take root well in our harsh climate; other species and varieties are more likely to be heat-loving plants and may not bloom in our country.

Miscanthus propagation: the most common methods

Growing miscanthus on your own plot from scratch is quite a complex process that will require attentiveness and diligence on your part. However, with a strong desire, this can be done. For the cultivation of cereal crops, a predominantly vegetative method is used, or rather, dividing the plant bush. It is also possible to grow from seeds, but this method is used extremely rarely.

Miscanthus seed propagation

• In our climate, cold winters and quite short summer, miscanthus seeds simply do not have time to ripen, so it is difficult to use this method of propagation.
• In addition, the seeds of this crop are very small, which, in turn, makes them difficult to collect. That is why it is quite difficult to find miscanthus seeds even on sale.
• Although in the coming years, breeders promise to develop a sufficient number of varieties that will allow them to collect seeds and sell them in specialized stores. This is made possible by the widespread popularity of miscanthus, especially as a biofuel. It is for this purpose that this perennial is increasingly grown in rural farms, process it and use it as fuel.
• If you nevertheless decide to try your luck and grow miscanthus from seeds, then you should remember that many varietal characteristics will be lost, and you will receive a beautiful and decorative bush only after 3-4 years.
• Miscanthus seeds do not require pre-treatment.
• Seeds must be sown in autumn peat pots, which are thoroughly moisturized beforehand.
• In the spring, after the soil has warmed up, peat pots along with seedlings are planted in open ground in the selected area.

Miscanthus propagation by dividing the bush

• This method is most preferable for this crop.
• However, it should be remembered that replanting, and therefore dividing the rhizome of the mother plant, should be done no more than once every 3 years. Miscanthus should have time to grow stronger and gain the required mass.
• The optimal time to divide the plant bush is early spring or early summer, depending on the specific variety of miscanthus.
• The most suitable period is the time when young shoots appear from the rhizome.
• In this case, it is necessary to very carefully dig up an adult plant, trying not to damage the root system and stems of the bush.
• It is necessary to divide immediately after digging or place the plant in a cool storage room. However, even under such conditions, the plant will only be viable for a few days.
• After digging up the mother plant, carefully divide the rhizome into the desired number of parts. Make sure each piece has at least some stems. Otherwise the plant will not take root.
• Next, you also quickly plant young plants in prepared planting pits.
• At first, you will have to monitor the transplanted miscanthus bushes for signs of wilting. A delay in the development of young seedlings is a normal phenomenon; you should not be alarmed.

Stages of preparation before planting miscanthus

Growing miscanthus is only possible with careful and attentive preparation. Only in this case will you get bright and unique plants on your site that will create very impressive landscape compositions. Initially, you need to purchase high-quality and healthy seedlings, and also select the most optimal place for planting on your site. Let's consider the nuances of all stages.

Stage 1. Selection of miscanthus seedlings

• It is best to purchase miscanthus seedlings in specialized stores or agricultural companies that professionally breed plants. Self-cultivation Seedlings of this plant will take a long time and will not give 100% results.
• It is best to buy miscanthus in the form of an adult seedling, since a younger seedling will not have time to take root and bloom before the onset of cold weather.
• Also give preference to seedlings adapted to the conditions of your climate zone. To do this, you can clarify all the features of growing miscanthus with store consultants. This way you can avoid failure when planting and growing this crop. The Chinese and giant miscanthus varieties are most suitable for Russia. Give preference to varieties with frost resistance zone 4 or 5.
• At the time of buying young plant be sure to inspect it carefully. There should be no visible damage or signs of pests or diseases.
• The soil in the container should be clean and moderately moist.

Stage 2. Selecting a landing site

• Choosing the right place for planting will be the key to obtaining a strong and beautiful ornamental plant.
• Miscanthus prefers to grow in well-lit, sunny places, as this plant is heat-loving. If you plant it even in light shade, you are unlikely to achieve flowering.
• An important condition for the growth of miscanthus is damp areas, since moisture is vital for this plant. Therefore, it is best to choose places along a reservoir or pond, as well as in lowlands.
• It is also important to choose the area that is most protected from wind and drafts.
• When purchasing miscanthus seedlings, you need to decide on the planned composition and planting location. The tallest varieties are best planted as a background for other, smaller plants. Medium-sized varieties will look great against a lawn or in combination with other plants on your site.
• Miscanthus can be planted along a fence or as a natural border, but remember that a single plant requires a lot of space. After all, this cereal crop It is growing very strongly, and this is worth taking into account.

Stage 3. Selection and preparation of soil

• Miscanthus is not picky about the composition and fertility of the soil.
• If possible, do not plant seedlings of this plant on clay or sandy soils.
• Before planting, it is important to carefully dig up the selected area, about 2 shovels deep. This is necessary to lighten the soil and saturate it with oxygen. This process is best carried out in the fall during major work. And in the spring you can only lightly loosen the chosen place.
• The soil on the site should be neutral or slightly acidic. If the acidity in the selected area is increased, then during processing you can add a little dolomite flour to the soil.

Technology for planting miscanthus in open ground

• The best time to plant miscanthus in open ground is spring, or rather March or April - the period when the earth has time to warm up.
• If you cultivated the soil in the fall, then you only need to slightly loosen and lift the soil.
• Water the seedlings in the container generously with water. This is necessary for more careful extraction of plants.
• In the selected area, prepare planting holes, which must first be limited by any pieces of slate or metal. Dig the limiters approximately 15-20 cm deep into the ground, with 10-12 cm protruding above the surface. This is necessary so that the root system does not grow, and the shape of the bush itself is correct and beautiful.
• The size of the hole should be twice the volume of the root system of the seedling along with the soil.
• If you are planting several plants together, then be sure to maintain sufficient distance between the seedlings. On average it should be at least 1 m.
• If there is stagnation of water in your area, then it is best to place a layer of drainage made of broken bricks or expanded clay at the bottom of the hole.
• Prepare a fertile substrate, which should consist of turf soil, peat and rotted manure.
• Carefully remove the seedlings from the containers and place them in the planting holes.
• After this, gradually fill the holes with the prepared soil and lightly compact them with your hands.
• After planting, all seedlings must be watered abundantly.

Agricultural technology for growing miscanthus: secrets and nuances of care

Full and healthy growth of miscanthus will depend on your attention and care. Ordinary miscanthus care should include regular and abundant watering, loosening and mulching of the soil, as well as fertilizing the plant.

Watering

Miscanthus prefers abundant and regular watering, especially on the hottest days of summer. It is best to water the plants with a hose, so you can ensure the crop the right amount moisture. Young miscanthus seedlings, which require strength to take root, should be watered especially abundantly.

Loosening and mulching

After watering, the soil around each plant must be loosened. However, this must be done very carefully, because the root system of miscanthus is superficial and you can damage it. It is also important to carefully remove all weeds during the first years, as they can inhibit the growth of the plant. To reduce the amount of watering and loosening, the tree trunk circle can be lightly sprinkled with dry peat. Tall varieties This cereal must be tied up, since the stems in some cases can reach 3 m.

Top dressing

• This plant requires regular but moderate feeding.
• First of all, you need to remember that it is better to start fertilizing in the second year after planting.
• The first fertilizing is applied in May during the active growing season. For this, it is best to use liquid nitrogen fertilizer, such as urea.
• The second feeding can be applied at the beginning of summer. During this period, it is better to use a solution of humates.
• In the second half of summer, potassium-phosphorus fertilizers can be added to each plant.
• However, you should not overdo it with fertilizers, otherwise the plant may die.

Disease and pest control

Miscanthus has good resistance to pests and various diseases. At least to date, no evidence of disease affecting these plants has been identified.

Preparing for winter

If you purchased a heat-loving plant, then be sure to carefully protect the plant from freezing or temperature changes. To do this, before the onset of frost, thoroughly mulch the soil around the plant and build a hut from film. The hut should have small open spaces for air to enter. In spring the cover is removed and brown leaves and the stems are carefully trimmed.

Using miscanthus in landscape design

This plant is widely used in landscape design; it allows you to create the most incredible and beautiful garden compositions that brightly and effectively decorate the site.

• Miscanthus looks great on the banks of reservoirs and ponds, creating very unusual pictures.
• Tall varieties of this plant can be planted as a background for other crops.
• Miscanthus also looks great as a single planting against the background of a lawn.
• Many gardeners plant miscanthus seedlings as natural fencing.
• Alternatively, this cereal plant can be planted in combination with others, creating bright and unusual mixborders and rockeries.

Photo of miscanthus in landscape design

You can more clearly see all the features and options for using miscanthus in landscape design in the photos below.

To create bright and unique garden compositions on your site, be sure to use miscanthus - a plant that will definitely decorate the chosen place with its decorative appearance at any time of the year.

Ornamental grasses are now becoming increasingly popular in gardening. As they grow, they form beautiful clumps, something like this. Attractive because it is frost-resistant plant. One of the representatives of this family miscanthus chinensis, which comes in a variety of attractive varieties. Let's talk further about planting and caring for this crop.

Botanical description

In its natural environment it lives throughout the Far Eastern regions of Asia, Japan, Korea, and Russia. Grows in open glades, mountain slopes up to the beginning of the lower mountain range. Under natural conditions it reproduces well. It is a large herbaceous bush that can reach over 3 meters in height. The average height of the crop is from one to two and a half meters. The stems stand straight, at the bottom of them at the root there are leathery leaves in the form of scales. The leaves that grow directly on the shoots are very long, there is a rib in the middle, about a centimeter wide, quite rigid, with a bend. Due to the variety of varieties, they come in different colors.

Inflorescence panicles, as a rule, are loose, from 10 to 30 cm long, consisting of single-flowered spikelets on stalks, slightly less than a centimeter long. The inflorescences range from burgundy to white, depending on the variety.

The plant has a very powerful root system that grows strongly. Miscanthus chinensis is also called fantail or Chinese reed, the name is translated from Greek as “on a leg”, the botanical name is Miscanthus sinensis.

Popular varieties

The variety of varieties of Chinese miscanthus, of which there are more than a hundred today, make it popular in use. for landscaping areas. Depending on the variety and time of year, leaves and inflorescences are presented in a wide range of colors. If there are several varieties on the site, it looks very impressive. Next, consider photos and descriptions of some of the most popular among gardeners.

A late variety that blooms from August to the end of October. The hard leaves fall to the bottom and resemble a fountain. They are green in spring and summer, but can range from bright yellow to burgundy in fall. The inflorescences bloom in late summer and are initially red-crimson in color, and become soft brown closer to autumn. Unpretentious and prefers fresh ones without sand and clay. Frost-resistant, can grow in the fifth zone.

The grade is quite high. The herbal bush can be more than two meters in height. It blooms with almost white flowers from early summer until late autumn. The leaves are narrow, hard, dark green. This variety of Chinese miscanthus is quite suitable for growing in the Moscow region, as it tolerates frosts down to -34°C and belongs to the fourth zone.

belongs to medium-sized varieties and rarely grows to 1.8 meters in height. It got its name because of the bright pink flowers, which bloom in early summer. The leaves are hard, dark green in color, which retains it until late autumn. The variety is popular among gardeners due to its color range, relative unpretentiousness and good frost resistance. It belongs to the fourth zone and tolerates frosts down to -28°C.

It belongs to varieties of medium height and can grow up to one and a half meters and up to a meter in width. It is popular because in the fall the leaves and stems turn copper color with a hint of orange. It begins to bloom in July and ends in August, they do not like shade, they bloom only in open places where there is a lot of sun. This species loves soils with high humidity, where it grows well. In dry summers it is necessary to water. Withstands frosts down to -28°C.

The Chinese fantail reaches a height of two meters, therefore it belongs to high grades. It blooms from late June to late August with copper-colored panicles. Long weeping leaves, up to 1.5 cm wide, rich green in summer; in autumn they can turn red, brown and yellow tones. Grows well in wet soils without clay, in sunny areas, afraid of winds. Needs shelter for the winter, withstanding frosts down to -28C°.

Very unusual variety Strictus (Strictus). In appearance, it somewhat resembles a porcupine. This is due to the fact that white stripes are scattered across the hard leaves. They are bright green, tough, up to a centimeter wide and stand up straight. In autumn they turn yellow to burgundy. Bronze and red flowers, up to 0.7 cm long, bloom in October and continue to bloom until late autumn. The plant blooms well in the sun, maximum in partial shade, does not like soils that contain sand and clay. It can withstand frosts down to -28°C; only young plants need to be covered for the winter.

It will look very impressive in the garden plot Chinese miscanthus Ferner Osten. It is probably the brightest of all the popular varieties of this plant. The leaves are green in summer, and red, yellow and brown in autumn, forming a thick “cap”. They are slightly inclined towards the ground, a little more than a centimeter wide, long and rigid. When the inflorescence first blooms, which is usually July, it is pale pink in color. Until the end of flowering, which is until mid-autumn, the panicles acquire a color from dark pink to almost burgundy. This representative of the species loves to grow in sunny, warm places and is afraid of the wind. Loves non-clayey, moist soils. Tolerates frosts down to -28°C. This variety will be a bright spot in your garden.

Important! Some varieties of Chinese miscanthus tolerate waterlogged soil very well, but stagnation of water can destroy them.

Choosing a growing site

As with growing other ornamental plants, there are subtleties and recommendations for correct landing and caring for Chinese miscanthus. They start with choosing a landing site.

Lighting and location

Most of these plants do not like shade at all, preferring open sunny areas. Without sun they grow but do not bloom. There are some varieties that tolerate partial shade; you need to pay attention to this when choosing planting material. There should be quite a lot of space, since this is a perennial grass that grows well. Many varieties are afraid of winds, so you need to choose a place protected from them. It is worth paying attention to the combination of miscanthus with other plants. All of them are bright representatives of cereals, they attract attention with their appearance, so they will not look very good together. It is recommended to plant them in “spots” in different parts plot.

Soil for miscanthus

Culture is enough unpretentious to soils. Of course, if possible, the soil should be fertile. It is not recommended to plant plants in soil that contains a lot of clay and sand. The main condition for most varieties is that the soil must “hold” moisture well. The soil can be waterlogged, but it cannot be dry. Therefore, it is loosened and watered frequently, especially in the first few years of the plant’s life.

Planting a capricious “child”

When planting miscanthus in open ground, it is important to know about some aspects of planting and caring for the plant.

We carefully select planting material

The plant is seated by means of big bush divided into seedlings and planted. Or a part is separated and transplanted. Seedlings can be bought in nurseries, but you still need to pay attention to their appearance. For planting, you need to choose an adult, well-developed seedling. Plants are transplanted and planted only in spring or early summer; its growing season occurs when the air temperature approaches 25°C; it must have time to take root and subsequently withstand the winter well. Mycanthus also reproduce by seeds, but as a rule, gardeners rarely use this method.

Planting scheme

The plant is planted in a hole, which, according to the advice of experienced gardeners, should be three times larger than the root system of the plant. Usually it is 20 centimeters wide and up to 30 deep. You can add a little to the soil, for example, by first mixing it with the soil. The roots should not come into contact with You can soak the root system of the seedling for a while in a solution at the rate of a tablespoon per liter of water. This will strengthen it and saturate it with oxygen. The seedlings are carefully sprinkled with earth, paying attention to their complete coverage; this should be about 3-5 cm. After planting, the seedling Be sure to water generously.

Important!The roots of Chinese miscanthus grow very strongly, so you need to make a limiter around the perimeter for them, based on the width of the adult plant. It should go up to 15 cm in depth and 10 in height.

Plant care

Like any garden “pet,” miscanthus requires some care, but it is essentially not heavy and does not require much time.

Watering

The crop loves moist soil and does not tolerate drought, so it needs watering. Seedlings and young plants are especially demanding of it. It is imperative to keep the soil dry and water it when it dries out. IN in this case It's better to overfill than underfill. You need to water at sunset when the sun does not overheat the soil. If you water in the hot sun, the water will heat the soil, and with it the water, and this can harm the plant.

Fertilizer

As a rule, an adult plant does not need additional fertilizers. In order to pamper it, you can dilute some organic matter in water and water it. Another thing is a seedling and young grass bushes. After planting, after a while, you need to fertilize the soil and a little later with potassium phosphate. You need to fertilize with a solution, it is absorbed faster. The main thing is to know when to stop, because from an excess of nitrogen the plant lies on the ground.

Miscanthus- ornamental grass in your garden.

Miscanthus - tall perennial grass herbaceous plant having thin oblong leaves of the lily type growing from the base (root zone). During the flowering period, a tall stem appears with a drooping fluffy panicle of various shades of white or pink. These unique spikelets retain their decorative properties for a long time and can be used for ekiban. The color of the foliage and “flowers” ​​depends on the plant variety. Miscanthus is often called Chinese reed, in honor of the most common species in our latitudes - Miscantus sinensis (Chinese miscanthus).

The height of the plant varies from 1 to 2 meters. The plant easily adapts to living conditions, but prefers well-lit sunny areas. During site improvement work, it is advisable to provide a drainage layer if the soil on the site has low moisture conductivity. This herbaceous “shrub” easily tolerates even heavy rains without losing its appearance and tolerates frosts down to -25 degrees Celsius.

Today, more than 4 types are used in landscape design of gardens, differing in appearance and characteristics. Hard leaves can be colored from light green to dark purple, have stripes or spots of yellow, white, pinkish and other shades. The width of the sheets is from 5 to 25 millimeters.

Most varieties have a branched fibrous root system located close to the soil surface.

Types of Miscanthus and their characteristics.

Miscantus Purple Fall - purple waterfall or you can also find a translation of the name of the variety Purple Autumn. This variety has one distinctive feature due to which it received its name. As cold weather approaches, it changes the color of its leaves from green to purple. Combined with snowy pink spikelets consisting of fluffy string-scales, the bush takes on a bright appearance against the background of gray earth.

High frost resistance allows the bushes to overwinter without shelter. In addition, you can cut off dried leaves and spikelets at the beginning of spring, and in the cold period they will become a bright spot on the site. Purple miscanthus goes well with hostas, various ferns, and heucheras. As a rule, in such cases, ornamental grass acts as a central high element. Flowering begins in mid-summer.

Miscanthus can also complement coniferous composition, highlighting the vibrant greenery on snowy winter days.

Miscantus Giganteus - has powerful leaves 20-25 millimeters wide, dark green in color with a light white stripe in the middle. Despite the fact that the plant resembles a fountain, thanks to the flowing foliage, its height under favorable conditions can reach 3 meters. The flowering period begins towards the end of July and beginning of August. When the spikelets first appear they are light pink tint, but over time they acquire a pronounced silver color. This variety is somewhat more demanding than its counterparts, and if the summer is too cold it may not produce inflorescences.

The landscape designer recommends using the plant for decorating ponds, as well as in group plantings. For single flower beds. Giant miscanthus is not suitable, since from the second half of summer lower leaves may darken and dry out, exposing the stem. A lower plant is needed as a “background” to hide this nuance. Timely pruning is also necessary.

Miscantus sinensis Anderss or Miscantus purpurascens Anderss is the most unpretentious variety of ornamental grass - Chinese Miscanthus. This bush has a loose structure of narrow, erect leaves. This variety needs mulching and root cover winter period. The height of the bushes reaches 2 - 2.5 meters with sufficient lighting.

Miscantus sacchariflonis (Maxim.) Benth or Miscantus Imperata sacchariflora Maxim is an excellent choice for decorating ponds and creating flower beds on sandy or too wet soils. Even at the stage of planning, designing and creating ponds, professionals recommend providing space for accompanying plants, such as ornamental grasses.

This type of miscanthus tolerates winter well, but due to the low level of snow in recent years, landscape designers recommend mulching at the roots, this will protect the plant from freezing. Flowering begins in July; decorative silver-pink panicles remain attractive until the end of October.

Miscantus Gracillimus this variety has green foliage that turns golden in autumn. The color of the inflorescences is bright copper-red and remains decorative until late autumn. Preventative mulching is necessary for the winter period.

Miscantus Hinjoone of the best varieties with variegated foliage, a clearly defined longitudinal yellow stripe is visible on a green background. The grass goes well with less variegated decorative foliage plants.

Miscantus Kleine Fontane and Miscantus Malepartus are low-growing varieties. A distinctive feature of these cereals is their brown-red panicles. In autumn the flowers have a redder hue than in summer period. During severe frosty winters, preventive mulching is necessary.

Miscantus Morning Light - this variety is perfect not only for open ground, but also for growing in containers. Bright leaves with white longitudinal stripes will be an excellent decoration for any zone of the site. In winter, a flowerpot with a plant can be placed on closed terrace, thereby brightening up a boring winter.

Miscantus Nippon and Rotsilber, these varieties with the onset of autumn acquire reddish shades of foliage from orange to bright scarlet shades. In summer, pink-red inflorescences stand out against a green background. These types of ornamental grasses will look great when combined with evergreens.

Miscantus Strictus and Zebrinus - These varieties have green foliage with transverse stripes of white and cream colors respectively. Like other varieties with variegated leaves, they require additional care in winter. Therefore, at the end of autumn, landscape designer Anna recommends mulching and covering the roots with dry leaves or pine needles.

Features of care and reproduction.

Since miscanthus has a shallow, rapidly growing root system, it is advisable to provide restrictions for its growth. Rubber garden tapes with a width of about 15 are suitable for this. They need to be dug around the perimeter at the stage of designing and creating a flower garden. Make sure that the fence is closed and has no holes. The recommended height of the above-ground part of the mini-fence is about 50-55 millimeters.

In some varieties, some of the leaves periodically die off, so carry out periodic inspection and pruning of the bushes. Plants are being renewed in early spring. Foliage and inflorescences are cut with sharp pruning shears about a centimeter above the ground, after they have decorated the winter landscape of the garden plot. As soon as the soil and air temperatures warm up enough, the plant will sprout new shoots from its roots.

You should choose a planting site and neighbors for miscanthus depending on the varietal characteristics and characteristics of the subspecies (described above).

Reproduction and sowing.

The plant reproduces by seeds and division of adult specimens.

Ornamental grass is planted with seeds in early March in flowerpots. Preliminary preparation no planting material is required. After the seedlings have become stronger and the soil has warmed up, the bushes are transferred. Blooming and full decorative effect are achieved only for 3-4 years. The disadvantage of this method is the loss of varietal characteristics.

To preserve the decorative appearance of the species, the method of dividing the mother bush is used. For this miscanthus the desired type early spring or late autumn, carefully removed from the ground, separated sharp knife. Then sprinkle the sections with ash or treat them with special means and each part is planted in its place. This propagation method allows you to get flowering and the expected effect in the first, maximum second year of using the grass.

If you decide to improve your garden with cereals for the first time, we recommend purchasing seedlings from nurseries or greenhouses. To reduce costs and get a beautiful landscape, we recommend entrusting the landscaping work to professionals. Landscape design workshop “Gardens from Vinogradova” is at your service.

When creating our garden, we strive to achieve harmony in the combination of shapes and colors. Some plants serve as an excellent background, others perform a bright solo, and others will become the highlight and style-forming elements of our garden. For me, such plants are a variety of cereal herbs. Their decorativeness enlivens the garden, creates style, adds additional volume and structure, emphasizing the sophistication and grace of the entire garden history. And we will begin the story about a structural cereal - miscanthus, which, as a rule, occupies a leading role in any garden composition, if he is “invited” there. This luxury plant, which has won the heart of more than one gardener with its all-season charm and ease of care, deserves at least an article to be written about it.

Miscanthus, also known as Fan (lat. Miscánthus), belongs to the genus of herbaceous perennials of the bluegrass family (Poaceae Barnhart) and came to our gardens from warm regions: Asia, Africa and Australia. But do not rush to draw conclusions about the nature of the plant. Nature has endowed this cereal with the ability to survive in any conditions, which allowed miscanthus to spread throughout the globe over time. Now they can be found on high mountain slopes, in areas of extinct and living volcanoes, in swampy areas and meadows. The powerful creeping root system of this grass ensures its survival on any soil, although it will be less decorative on sand and heavy clay soils.

The height of miscanthus depends on the type and variety and ranges from 80 to 200 cm. Sharp, hard lanceolate leaves are located on erect stems. From mid-summer, the plants bloom with a fluffy fan of panicles, and by autumn they show maximum decorativeness. The genus Miscanthus has more than 40 species. In our climate zone you can also admire some representatives.

Miscanthus sacchariflonis

The most common species, growing well in sun and partial shade. The height of the grass reaches 1.5 m and above. The root system is resistant to flooding. The plant loves fertile soils, so in the spring it is recommended to feed it mineral fertilizers or compost. It forms spreading shoots that need to be limited by stable barriers: you can dig a border strip 28 cm deep around the plant and lay pieces of slate or tiles there.
If you are planning to make a living wall, a screen, a landscape background for ornamental shrubs and, you won’t find a better cereal than this.

If you are planning to make a living wall, a screen, or a landscape background for ornamental shrubs and perennials on your site, then you won’t find a better grain than this one.

Miscanthus sugarflower reaches its peak of decorativeness in August, when luxurious panicles appear, and in the fall the leaves turn burgundy. It will remain like this all winter, covered either with drops of rain or with spectacular frost.

Sometimes, by the end of summer, the lower leaves of Miscanthus sugarflower can wilt and expose the bottom of the bush, which leads to a slight loss of decorativeness. Well-chosen companions will save the day, for example, perennial aster, low-growing barberries, clameris, tall ones, loosestrifes. So, by choosing this cereal, you will get a real bliss for the eyes and a feast for lazy gardeners, because this plant does not require special care, except for pruning in early spring.

Miscanthus sacchariflonis in the landscape

Giant Miscanthus (Miscanthus giganteus)

A very powerful spreading grass, reaching a height of 3 m. It is a complex hybrid, the origin of which is unknown. It grows in a neat wide tussock and is not aggressive. Feels good in sunny areas and partial shade. It is not afraid of flooding and tolerates short droughts well. It has wide, up to 2.5 cm, shiny foliage, acquiring a golden hue in autumn. By the end of summer, the bottom of the bush may turn brown and become bare; it is recommended to plant it with stable ornamental plants. Flowering begins in September, but the wait is worth it, because the flowers of the giant miscanthus panicles have an extraordinary pink color, gradually changing to silver. But sometimes, during cool summers, flowering may not occur, but a spectacular fountain of golden miscanthus leaves is gorgeous and self-sufficient in itself. I would recommend planting this cereal monster on open place to be able to examine it and experience the exoticism to the fullest. Of course, it can be combined with trees and shrubs, such as dogwood, serviceberry, pine, ornamental elderberry and other berries.

Chinese Miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis)

This miscanthus comes from China, as you might guess from the name. It also grows naturally in Korea and Japan. The shape of the Chinese miscanthus bush is loose, with a short rhizome and stems up to 3 m high. The foliage is rough to the touch, with a rough edge along the midrib, linear, up to 1.5 cm wide. The ears are single-colored, collected in fluffy panicles up to 0.7 cm. Compared to other types of miscanthus, this one is less resistant to our frosts, and therefore requires shelter for the winter with dry mulch. Despite this fact, it remains one of the most desirable and stylish in our gardens and has in its arsenal many promising and interesting varieties in terms of design.

For example, varieties such as:

Blondo– height up to 2 m, very cold-resistant. Zone 4.
– height 2 m, inflorescences are large, pink, spreading, leaves are narrow.
– height 2 m, color of inflorescences copper, leaves narrow, golden yellow in autumn. The shape of the plant is round.
Grosse Fontane– with green leaves and a dense bush up to 2.4 m high.
Hinjo– height 2 m, leaves have horizontal yellow stripes. The best variegated variety.
Kleine Fontane– red-brown lush flowering inflorescences, height 1.2 m.
Malepartus– red-brown early flowering inflorescences, red in autumn, height 2 m.
Nippon- a narrow vertical bush 1.5 m high with leaves that turn red in autumn.
Rotsilber– pink-red inflorescences and leaves, becoming orange-red in autumn.
Variegatus– height 2 m, leaves have very bright white longitudinal stripes.

I will describe in more detail three of my favorite varieties.

Variety Silberfeder- a rapidly growing grass that forms dense thickets 1.5–2 m high. The width of the curtain can be adjusted by limiting barriers. The green leaves are 2 cm wide and have a white central vein. Flowering is abundant - from August to mid-winter, fluffy clusters of a silvery hue. During flowering, it may need support, since in wet weather the stems, with panicles weighed down by moisture, can droop. The full decorative effect of the grass appears only on fertile, well-moistened soils.

Variety Zebrinus– an ornamental grass up to 2 m high. It has spectacular green foliage with yellow transverse veins. It grows slowly. Prefers fertile sunny areas and abundant watering. Tolerates short drought and light partial shade. Flowering is later, in October, and in cold autumn the panicles of inflorescences do not always appear. But the lack of flowering is compensated by the decorativeness of the striped foliage.

This miscanthus variety is the most desirable for extravagant and exotic gardens. Its unusual, richly colored greenery will look great in combination with no less than chrysanthemums, dahlias, sedums, daylilies, roses, bladderwort and euonymus. And if you choose a related grass as a mate, then it is better to opt for switchgrass or black millet.

IN spring time Encourage Chinese miscanthus with bright companions that will protect you with their colors until the peak of its decorativeness. Choose resilient, strong perennials, as well as other types of miscanthus.

Variety Morning Light- a spectacular thin-leaved variety, the width of the leaf blade does not exceed 0.7 cm. The variegation of the plant is given by longitudinally located white stripes - wide in the center and millimeter-wide along the edges. The bush is up to 1.2 m high and requires shelter for the winter. Blooms late. Tolerates openwork partial shade, short-term drought. Prefers sunny places, sheltered from draft winds.

This variety of miscanthus can be compared to a cloud or haze. So if you need a similar effect in your garden, take note of it. Plants similar in atmosphere and appearance are suitable partners for this cereal. For example, lilac, as well as peony, sage and roses. And in the spring, of course, his most tender companions will be daffodils and tulips.

This grass was born for the background of monogamous flower beds, it balances them, creates a light and light canvas on which other plants “lay colors” stylishly.

Nuances of agricultural technology

1. Miscanthus should be planted in open sunny areas. This grass is undemanding when it comes to soil, but heavy clay soils inhibit the development of the plant, the bushes noticeably lag behind in growth, and the decorative appearance of the panicles is reduced.
2. To plant, dig a hole 3 times larger than the root ball, add fertile soil to it, place the plant and carefully cover it with soil, lightly compacting it and filling the voids.
3. Water the planted plant generously. Prolonged drought is detrimental to miscanthus.
4. Fertilizing with nitrogen-containing fertilizers has a positive effect on the decorative appearance of the bush if applied in May. The second time is fertilized in mid-July with potassium-phosphorus solutions. Attention should be paid to strict adherence to the dosage: in case of excess nutrients the plant grows rapidly, which leads to lodging and sometimes complete loss of stems.
5. Many varieties of miscanthus are prone to spreading, so when planting you should immediately install protective borders made of durable material, such as plastic or slate. The embedment depth is at least 20 cm.

Features of reproduction

Miscanthus reproduce by sowing seeds or vegetatively. The seed propagation method is less successful in our climate zone - miscanthus is heat-loving and, despite the high frost resistance of adult plants, the seeds located in fluffy panicles do not have time to ripen in all varieties. In addition, seeds collected from a bush you like do not always retain the varietal characteristics of the parent plant.

Vegetative propagation is more effective. To do this, in the middle of spring, when the shoots are still dormant or have barely begun to grow, mother bush dig up and carefully divide. There is no need to grind it too much - there should be at least 5-6 shoots in the separated mound. During the current season, such “babies” will quickly develop into a strong, beautiful bush and will be fully prepared for wintering.

Small requirements for growing conditions have secured the reputation of miscanthus as plants that are easy to care for, but in the first years of life you will still have to pay more attention to watering and weed control.

● In the spring, last year's stems are cut as low as possible, the hummocks are carefully cleared of the remaining foliage, and, if necessary, the overgrown turf is removed.
● Miscanthus love water - it is better to water them in sunny, warm weather, trying not to get it on the foliage.
● For the first wintering, it is recommended to cover all young bushes additional layer dry soil, branches, or build a loose film shelter so that air can circulate freely. Further winter insulation will only be needed for heat-loving varieties of miscanthus.

The plants are very resistant; miscanthus has no pests or other diseases.

miscanthus in regular style garden

Miscanthus in the garden landscape

In landscape design, miscanthus are found more and more every year. wide application. They are successfully used as tapeworms, alone standing plants, as well as in mixborders and discounts. Miscanthus noticeably revitalizes coniferous gardens, contrasting effectively with evergreens. With their help, you can visually hide unsightly corners of the garden or protect a secluded place to relax with a living screen.

Miscanthus and pond – classic combination. The excessive diversity of the flower beds is successfully diluted by the lush modesty of herbaceous bushes. In addition to their decorative qualities, landscapers successfully use these grasses as functional plants for securing loose slopes and draining wetlands.

To ensure that miscanthus does not lose its decorative appearance by the end of summer, you should be selective in the selection of its partners. The bare bottom of lush bushes can be covered by planting daylilies, peonies, phlox, astilbe, the white and pink-flowering varieties of which will feel great in the sun. But special preference should be given to late-flowering plants, such as hairy rudbeckia, hybrid goldenrod (solidago), prominent sedum, and cornflower.
Graceful miscanthus inflorescences are included in the composition of winter bouquets, combining them with brighter dried flowers and berries.

In addition to its obvious beauty, miscanthus is also valued for its technical characteristics:

● succulent biomass is used as animal feed and material for paper production;
● high combustion efficiency and low economic production costs make it profitable to use as a biofuel.

Miscanthus are now in trend and are increasingly used in “” plantings, a popular trend in landscape design. Naturalness, simplicity and at the same time plasticity in the garden are possible through the use of this multifunctional plant. You can create a screen, hedge, backdrop or a chic solitaire that will stay with you half the summer, autumn and winter, without requiring special attention and giving pleasure in its beauty and the sound of swaying stems.

Miscanthus chinensis is one of the most famous ornamental grasses. In nature, it can be seen in the countries of the Far East, Japan, Korea and China. Among gardeners around the world, there are other names for this plant - “Chinese reed”, “fan”.

What is a plant

Miscanthus is a vigorous perennial grass with a short rhizome. The height of its bushes is from 60 to 200 cm. They have rigid, erect stems, Bottom part which are covered with long leaves. Their hard surface has a variety of colors. The leaves, which are approximately 2 cm wide, are very rough to the touch.

Miscanthus chinensis has single-flowered spikelets. Their location is loose, shortened, fan-shaped panicles.

There are more than 100 varieties of miscanthus in the world. Not many of them have taken root on the territory of our state. Many species of this plant, despite careful care and shelter, freeze in winter time.

Miscanthus uses

IN ornamental gardening Miscanthus is most often used to decorate the banks of reservoirs. It also looks very good in mixborders. Moreover, it can be used both separately and in group plantings.

Almost all varieties of miscanthus have enough a long period decorative, which begins in early spring and lasts until the onset of cold weather. In autumn, the leaves of this ornamental plant turn yellow, red and brown.

Cut cereal inflorescences are used when they are fully ripe and fluffy. This plant is also used to create backdrops.

The big advantage of using Chinese miscanthus is its ability to keep its shape. Most of its species have the appearance of a solemn, erect bush that grows quite slowly. Other varieties are more aggressive - they quickly grow in width and clog neighboring plants.

Miscanthus chinensis: planting and care

Miscanthus is not very picky about soil. But when planting it, you must avoid places with sandy or heavy clay soil.

Caring for this plant is relatively simple. In order to prevent unwanted intensive growth, during planting the plant should be limited artificially. The restriction should be placed around the perimeter of the planting and have a depth of at least 10 cm. But it is not necessary to deepen it too much, since the plant has a superficial root system. The top edges of the restraint should be placed approximately 5 cm above the soil level. This is due to fairly strong roots that can bypass a low barrier.

If the Chinese miscanthus has formed a dense clump, it may begin to die off in the center. main reason This is a delay in timely division. This ornamental grass must be periodically divided and replanted.

Only minor fertilizing needs to be done. If there is an excess of nitrogenous fertilizers, the plant will grow very quickly and fall to the ground.

Miscanthus chinensis should be pruned in early spring, because its shoots have decorative look even in the autumn and winter seasons. You should regularly remove shoots that are not as decorative as the bush itself. This plant really does not like transplants - so the best option would be to provide it with a permanent place in the garden.

Reproduction

There are two ways to propagate miscanthus:

• seeds;
• dividing the bush.

The bush should be divided in early spring. This work must be carried out very carefully and carefully, since miscanthus does not like manipulations associated with transplantation.

To propagate by seeds, it is necessary to sow them in the winter. They do not require pre-treatment. If you prefer this particular method of reproduction, be patient. This bush will acquire its natural beauty only after 3-4 years.

In order to minimize damage to the roots of the plant, the seeds are first germinated in pots. And only after the onset of spring and complete thawing of the soil are they transplanted into open ground.

When growing miscanthus from seed, there is no preservation of varietal characteristics. Therefore, another type of reproduction is more popular - division.

Miscanthus groups

Chinese miscanthuses are generally divided into three groups, depending on their height.

• Low-growing - graceful bushes with thin leaves, reaching 150 cm in height. Most often they are placed in the first rows of a flower bed or flower garden. They are also planted in the rock garden.
• Medium-sized varieties are the most common varieties, reaching 180 cm. In the garden, in most cases they are located in neat groups or independent hummocks.
• Tall - their height is more than 200 cm. They are placed in the background. Most of the representatives of this group bloom only in warm climates.

Miscanthus varieties

Today, Miscanthus chinensis is very common. There are more than 100 varieties of it. They can be distinguished from each other by the shape and color of the inflorescences. It can be pure white, pink, brown, with a burgundy tint. The varieties also differ in the color, shape and size of the leaves. There are graceful thin, curved and upright leaves, painted in a wide variety of shades.

Among the main differences, one of the main places belongs to the size and shape of the bush. Adaptability to a variety of growing conditions and weather and climatic zones also plays an important role.

Conditions middle zone ideal for growing such varieties.

• “Blondo” - the height of the bush of this cold-resistant plant reaches 2 meters.
• "Flamingo" is a tall miscanthus with large inflorescences and beautiful spreading leaves of pink shades.
• "Grosse Fontane" - also belongs to the group of tall plants, has green lush leaves and a dense bush in the shape of a fountain;
• "Hinjo" is an ornamental variegated shrub with leaves painted with horizontal yellow stripes.
• "Variegatus" - has leaves with bright white longitudinal stripes.
• "Kleine Fontane" is a representative of the group of low-growing miscanthus, having a deep red-brown color and very lush flowering.
• Miscanthus chinensis "Morning Light" is most suitable for growing in containers. Its main feature is narrow leaves bleached at the edges and a reddish inflorescence.
• Miscanthus chinensis "Zebrinus" is a tall plant, as the height of its bushes reaches 250 cm; cream-colored stripes are placed across its leaves.
• Miscanthus chinensis "Strictus" is a very tall plant (up to 270 cm), having a columnar shape, transverse white stripes on the leaves, and the inflorescences are reddish in color.

Miscanthus chinensis "Purpurascens"

Miscanthus sinensis "Purpurescence" at the peak of its beauty acquires a bright crimson color. And during the flowering period, the bush is covered with silvery inflorescences. The long leaves of this plant resemble brown needles in appearance.

This variety of miscanthus can be planted in small prickly islands in a chaotic manner. They will also look good along the border. They are used to mark the boundaries of a flower bed.

When planning the placement of this variety of miscanthus, one must take into account its meter height. And in order for the plant to have the appearance of a frame, taller flowers should be placed in the flowerbed.

Its cultivation is so simple that even a beginner can handle it. When caring for Chinese miscanthus "Purpurescence" you should not forget about frequent watering.

Miscanthus "Strictus"

Miscanthus chinensis "Strictus" has relative frost resistance. It is a powerful short-rhizome grass plant with erect stems, leafy at the bottom. The height of the bushes reaches 180-270 cm, and the width is 45 cm. The leaves have a linear shape. They have a thick rib in the middle, and a large number of transverse white stripes on the surface.

The flowers look like single-flowered spikelets of a reddish color. These are loose panicles, the length of which is 0.7 cm. They bloom in early autumn.

As for cultivation and care, miscanthus “Strictus” is ideally suited to waterlogged areas. But it can also be grown in relatively dry places. Although in this case it does not grow so much.

This type of cereal is not picky about soil, but prefers fresher soil. Does not grow well in clay and sandy areas.

Growing Miscanthus in the Garden

It is not easy to successfully grow Miscanthus chinensis in your garden. Growing it requires compliance with some mandatory rules.

• When selecting and purchasing seedlings, preference should be given to mature planting material. This is due to the peculiarities of our climate, which is unusual for miscanthus. Therefore, it needs more time for the growing season to go through. Otherwise, the small seedling simply will not have time to grow stronger and will not survive the cold winter.
• The landing site should be sunny and protected from winds.
• A planting hole with fertile, sufficiently moist soil is required.
• Organization of regular watering.
• Mulching the root zone of the bush, as the plant does not tolerate drying out well.
• Providing annual feeding organic fertilizers in the spring season.

Miscanthus care in winter

It is advisable to cover miscanthus for the winter. This is especially necessary for non-winter-hardy varieties and those planted in cold areas. This cereal gradually adapts to a slight decrease in temperature. But sudden changes in it can provoke his death.

You can cover it with garden film. At the same time, do not forget to leave space on the sides for ventilation.

The climatic zone of the middle zone is characterized by the fact that here only in spring or early summer can Chinese miscanthus be divided. Planting and care suggests that after this process, several years are required for this plant to reach its maximum decorative value.