Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus'

The form of this Eastern Asia native is very similar to porcupine grass, Stipa spartea, but tends to arch more. 'Zebrinus' is nearly identical to M. sinensis 'Strictus' with a slight difference in form: while 'Strictus' is spiky and upright, 'Zebrinus' forms an arching clump that is not quite as tall.

Each lanceolate blade can reach more than 36 inches. Leaf color is dark green with horizontal bands of golden-yellow stripes at irregular intervals, providing the common name zebra grass.

The foliage turns to rich gold in fall; fall color generally lasts through winter. Clumps slowly expand in circumference by short rhizomes but retain their tight clump shape.

Plants send up flower stalks to 2 feet above the foliage in summer. Flowers are silver-white to pink and plumelike, but not as large or showy as Cortaderia selloana. The tradeoff is that Miscanthus is hardier than C. selloana.

Culture tips

Miscanthus is a warm-season grass, so it transplants best in spring. It is hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 5. Propagation is by division in spring.

Like other members of the species, zebra grass grows in full sun or very light shade. It becomes less vigorous and has a tendency to flop over in too-heavy shade. It's tolerant of summer heat and humidity.

Adaptable to most well-drained soils, plants tolerate soils that are acidic, sandy, loamy, clay or slightly alkaline. The species is drought tolerant; soil salt tolerance is poor.

In some areas of the United States, miscanthus mealybug and miscanthus blight are becoming problems. Miscanthus mealybug causes stunted growth and is difficult to eradicate because it lives inside the stems. Miscanthus blight is a fungal disease that attacks blades and sheaths. Rust diseases occasionally affect foliage, but symptoms often clear up in drier weather.

In the landscape, set plants 36-60 inches apart. They'll fill in quickly with their fountainlike foliage. Zebra grass is frequently used as a specimen or screen or in group plantings forming a mass of fine-textured foliage. Your best bet is to use zebra grass in large-scale landscapes, such as around a commercial building, to add elegance and texture to nondescript structures.

Foliage should be left standing throughout the winter for visual interest and to provide protection for the crowns. Some prefer to cut the grass back to the ground in early spring so new green growth is not obscured by last year's dried, brown foliage.

- Kevin Neal

Specifics

Name: Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus'

Common names: Zebra grass, Japanese silver grass.

Family: Gramineae.

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Description: Versatile ornamental grass; shrublike specimens grow in arching fashion to 6-7 feet tall, 5-10 feet wide.

Landscape uses: Accent, specimen, grouping, mass or screen, borders, meadows, wild gardens, cottage gardens, naturalized areas or pond/water garden peripheries.