Miscanthus Ferne Osten

Description

Miscanthus ‘Ferner Osten’ – Chinese silver grass

Botanical name: Miscanthus sinensis ‘Ferner Osten’
Common names: Chinese silver grass, eulalia
Family: Poaceae (grass family)
Plant type: Deciduous perennial grass
Habit: Clump-forming, upright to arching
Pot size: 1 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 1.2–1.5m tall × 0.6–0.9m spread
Foliage: Narrow, arching green leaves taking on rich reddish autumn tints; deciduous
Flowers: Reddish plumes from late summer, fading to silver, held above the foliage (August–October)
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Most fertile, moist but well-drained soils; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 5–9
Exposure: Open, sunny; tolerant
Native range: Species (Miscanthus sinensis) native to eastern Asia
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Miscanthus ‘Ferner Osten’ is an elegant silver grass with narrow arching leaves and reddish late-summer plumes that fade to silver, colouring richly in autumn. A superb feature grass for sunny borders.

GardenAdvice notes

A clump-forming deciduous grass, Miscanthus is one of the finest of all ornamental grasses, valued for its elegant arching foliage, its feathery late-season flower plumes, and the way it catches light and movement in the garden. Its relatively compact size and red-tinted plumes and autumn colour make it one of the best all-round silver grasses for a medium-sized border. It is not invasive, forming a well-behaved clump, and its faded stems and plumes stand handsomely through winter.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or early summer in most fertile, moist but well-drained soils in full sun, which gives the best growth and flowering. It tolerates a range of soils but flowers and stands up best in an open, sunny position. Space according to its size, generally about 60–90cm apart. It establishes into an increasingly impressive clump over a few years.

Care & maintenance

Very low-maintenance. Leave the faded foliage and plumes standing through winter for structure and wildlife, then cut the whole plant down to the ground in late winter or early spring, before the new growth appears. Water while establishing; thereafter it is fairly drought-tolerant. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring if needed.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in mid to late spring, as growth begins — the only reliable method for named forms.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free and robust, with few pests or diseases. An easy, reliable grass in the right sunny, open position.

Uses in the garden

Superb as a specimen or focal point, in mixed and prairie-style borders, in bold grass plantings, as a summer screen, and for cutting; the plumes are excellent fresh or dried.

Wildlife value

The winter stems and seedheads provide valuable shelter and structure for wildlife, and the dense clumps offer cover for insects and small creatures through the colder months.

Toxicity & safety

Miscanthus is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Ferner Osten’ (Far East) is one of the best mid-sized miscanthus, with lovely red-flushed plumes and warm autumn colour — plant it where the low autumn and winter sun can backlight the plumes and set them glowing. Leave it standing all winter for structure and frost effects, then cut it right down in late winter before the new shoots appear.

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