Miscanthus sinensis

A striking ornamental grass that brings graceful height, movement and texture to the garden. Its tall, arching stems are topped with silky plumes from August to October, turning golden in autumn and persisting well into winter.

Miscanthus sinensis is one of the most useful ornamental grasses for the Mediterranean garden, producing arching clumps of slender green-and-silver leaves and tall feathery flowering plumes from late summer through autumn — typically August to November in the Mediterranean. After flowering, the plumes turn silvery-cream and persist on the plant through winter, providing structure and motion when most herbaceous plants have collapsed. The foliage turns warm bronze-orange in late autumn before going dormant. Hardy to -15°C, drought-tolerant once established, the grass needs at least half a day of sun and resents shade and waterlogging.

Forming clumps 1.5–2.5 m tall and 1–1.5 m wide depending on cultivar, Miscanthus is a major structural element in contemporary Mediterranean planting. Use single specimens as focal points in dry borders, in rhythmic groups along driveways and paths, in mass plantings on slopes, or as a screening row between garden rooms. The pale arching plumes catch low autumn and winter light beautifully — site where backlighting can be appreciated. Pair with the dark verticals of Cupressus sempervirens, the silver-grey of Olea europaea and Lavandula, and the warm tones of Schinus molle for an autumn-toned composition. Cut all stems back to 15 cm in late winter before the new growth starts.