General Culture:
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerant of a wide range of soils from well-drained sandy soils to the heavy clays present in much of the St. Louis area. Prefers moist soils. Best in full sun. Less vigorous with decreased flowering and tendency to flop in too much shade. Tolerant of summer heat and humidity. Clumps slowly expand in circumference by short rhizomes, but retain tight clump shape. Foliage should be left standing throughout the winter for visual interest and to provide protection for the crowns. Cut foliage to the ground in late winter just before new shoots appear.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
'Graziella' is noted for its narrow green leaves which form a substantial, rounded, arching clump of foliage typically growing 4-6' tall (to 7' when in flower). Foliage turns orange-red in fall, but fades to straw-beige by winter. Tiny white flowers appear in tassel-like inflorescences above the foliage in late summer, gradually turning into silvery white plumes as the seeds mature. Blooms earlier than most Miscanthus cultivars. Flower plumes persist well into winter providing good winter interest. Similar in appearance to M. s. 'Gracillimus' (E250) except blades are more erect and overall clump height is shorter.
Problems:
No frequently occurring insect or disease problems. In some areas of the U.S., miscanthus mealybug and miscanthus blight are becoming significant problems. Miscanthus mealybug causes stunted growth and is difficult to eradicate because it lives inside the stems. Miscanthus blight is a fungal disease which attacks the blades and sheaths.
Uses:
Versatile ornamental grass, but clumps need lots of room. Accent, specimen, grouping, mass or screen. Borders, meadows, wild gardens, cottage gardens, naturalized areas or pond/water garden peripheries.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
More photos:
(2 ratings) --- 
