Miscanthus 'Purpurascens'
Chinese silver grass, Eulalia grass
Also known as Miscanthus sinensis 'Purpurascens'
- Height × spread
- 1.5m × 1.2m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Winter, Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This form is primarily grown for its foliage colour, often taking on glorious autumnal tints of claret red. The initial greenness of the foliage starts with purple tinting on the leaf tips, and these tones suffuse the whole leaf. Then in the winter, it is bleached to the colour of straw. It is a useful arching grass, shy flowering as a rule. If there are flowers they develop during July and August, reaching 1.5 metres in height, slender and pink tinted, maturing to silver. In hot areas it is best in a partially shaded site where it is protected from the sun at the height of day.
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Red-claret
- Fruit colour
- Silver
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 1.5m
- Spread
- 1.2m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Winter, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Prairie garden, Gravel garden, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Architectural, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
After three or four weeks without rain, except for drought tolerant plants, those in the ground often get stressed. Adopt the habit of deep-watering one section of the garden each day. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Encourage plants to develop good root systems by giving occasional deep watering. Some plants, such as conifers and heathers, do not show much sign of distress so water these if in doubt.
Spring - early · Planting
Prune to the ground
Cut foliage to the ground before new growth starts.
Where stems are grown for their ornamental value, old stems should be removed either before new growth starts in spring, or during winter when they begin to look ragged or untidy.
Found in
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