Gold Bar Maiden Grass
Miscanthus sinensis 'Gold Bar'
Height: 5 feet
Spread: 4 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 4
Other Names: Japanese Silver Grass
Description:
This variety may have more gold variegation than any other, and a compact habit that is excellent for small spaces and planters; burgundy plumes rise above foliage in fall; great winter interest
Ornamental Features
Gold Bar Maiden Grass features bold plumes of burgundy flowers rising above the foliage in late summer. Its attractive grassy leaves are green in color with prominent gold stripes. The foliage often turns yellow in fall. The silver seed heads are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from early fall to late winter. The brick red stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.
Landscape Attributes
Gold Bar Maiden Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Gold Bar Maiden Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Vertical Accent
- Mass Planting
- Hedges/Screening
- General Garden Use
- Groundcover
Planting & Growing
Gold Bar Maiden Grass will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
