Help with Miscanthus selection

15 years ago

I have a spirea that's getting crowded out by two other plants so I'm looking for something tall and skinny like a Miscanthus to replace it.

One of the shrubs crowding out the current spirea is a red coloured barberry. I also have another miscanthus nearby which I want a bit of visual difference from (I forget what type it is, but it just has green foliage).

I was thinking of taking a chunk from the porcupine grass I have out front, giving contrast to both the barberry and have something distinct from the other grass. I think this would be a good pick but I was wondering if there was another interesting grass that would do well there that I might be over looking.

Thanks,

Rebecca

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Comments (3)

donn_
15 years ago
"something tall and skinny"

How about Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' or Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Avalanche' for variegation?

'Northwind' is the most erect and skinny ornamental grass I've seen so far, and it's blue/gray/green foliage is gorgeous.
granite_grrl
Original Author
15 years ago
I was thinking Miscanthus for the height, but I'm liking the idea of Calamagrostis x acutiflora (not as much height maybe, but good texture).

I think I'd have to see 'Northwind' in person before I could decide if I really liked it or not.

Thank you!
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donn_
15 years ago
I wish I had a better picture of 'Northwind' but this is all I have:

{{gwi:379670}}

There are 6 plants in that photo, 12" apart. The photo was taken in July of last year. The plants were installed in June of '07, as size 21 plugs. In the photo, they are 4' tall, foliage only. They had just begun blooming. They were 6" in diameter at the base, and beautifully upright.

When I cut them back last month, they were a beautiful beige, and about 5' tall to the blooms. They maintained their upright nature all winter, and the crowns were about 8" in diameter. They are starting to shoot now, and look like they'll go to at least 10" diameter this year. I'll be moving 3 of them in a few weeks (and probably dividing them), to give them all more room.

I have several dozen different varieties of what I consider mid-height OGs, and this is by far the most attractive. It's especially nice in a small setting, due to it's upright habit