Vivid winter colors of Miscanthus Adagio
Perhaps it would be better suited to the harvest displays of late November. But in my Austin garden, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Adagio’ revs up its vivid fall color and feathery blooms at Christmastime.
Three small plants are growing in the new side garden. In size they are not impressive. But their late-season color knocks my socks off. Green, purple, orange, red, gold—the leaves take on different hues as the temperature drops and the sun takes a rest from death-star mode.
The colors sing as the thin, strappy leaves rustle in the breeze.
The inflorescence is beautiful too. The seed heads tend to arch and curl inward, like furled fern fronds.
I always have to run my fingers across the downy fluff.
A closer look
While miscanthus can be invasive in some parts of the country, it hasn’t caused trouble for me. Although it’s called a dwarf maiden grass and doesn’t dominate like the larger miscanthus varieties, ‘Adagio’ still needs space; in my former garden it grew to about 4 feet in diameter and 4 feet tall. It needs to be divided every few years to keep its good looks. I consider it low-maintenance, but the occasional division can be a chore, as miscanthus has sharp-edged, irritating leaves.
Still, with color and fluffy, light-catching blooms like this, it earns its keep in my garden.
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
I’ve never had any of the miscanthus cultivars on the market reseed for me, so they are not invasive for us here in any way, shape or form. I always wear gloves and long sleeve shirt when doing the nasty deed of dividing them. They are wonderful in the garden this time of year……..
Yes, arm protection is a necessity when dividing them, as I learned the hard way. Ouch! —Pam
Merry Christmas Pam! I have enjoyed your post this past year and look forwarding to reading more in 2010. H
Many thanks, Helen! And a very merry Christmas to you too! —Pam
Love your blog. I check it every day. I live on a ranch in central Texas, and this variety does, very seriously, reseed in my garden around the house. I do like it, but I now cut the blooms off shortly after they appear. Unless the tag (which I still have) was wrong, I do have “Adagio” planted. I plan to move some to my pastures and hope it reseeds there, because I have tested it on my goats, and they seem to like it. Thanks for your beautiful pictures.
luvgoats
Hi, Luvgoats. I’m delighted to know that you enjoy Digging—thank you! And thanks too for the heads-up about the invasiveness of miscanthus in your part of central Texas. I wonder what conditions at your place are so favorable to its reseeding? At any rate, it sounds like it would be wise for us central Texans to keep this grass away from wild areas where it might spread out of control and crowd out natives. —Pam
Pam, have a wonderful Christmas!
And the same to you, Amy! —Pam
That looks like a grass I might try here.
Hope you have a Merry Christmas. Looking forward to learning more from you, next year.
Hi, Linda. Yes, I’m sure miscanthus would do well for you too. But you might want to keep a close eye on it for invasive tendencies (see Diana’s comment above). Merry Christmas to you too! —Pam
Fabulous colours in your miscanthus, Pam; I get similar shades in M. purpurascens (purple flame grass) but of course by now they’re all turned to tan and brown.
Jodi, I love that name—purple flame grass. I can just imagine those fall colors! —Pam
Gorgeous! Have a happy holiday.
And you too, Caroline! Stay warm. —Pam
Wow those colors are rich! Might just have to check this one out for myself.
Happy Holidays Pam, I hope you and your family have a wonderful time. Thank you for all of your support this past year!
This ornamental grass would fit right in with your foliage-rich garden, Loree. It would be interesting to know if/how a different climate would affect the fall show. Have a warm and merry Christmas, Loree! —Pam
Since reading your post Pam I know what to expect from my “Adagio”. I have it in a pot for the time being. I like to watch a new plant to see what it will do in my garden.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
HAPPY NEW YEAR
I took out an entire row of Miscanthus this year because they were just such a chore to keep contained. I’ve been regretting that decision, though, because I miss their fall/winter color show so much. If Adagio is more of a dwarf variety, I might have to add some of those back into the mix along my garage wall.
I struggle to keep miscanthus from one year to the next. I was so shocked to see a miscanthus with beautiful leaves like what you have here – I would love to grow that but sadly it would never survive here. The striped orange leaves are amazing.
I live in Surprise AZ right now but when I had my gardens in Minnestoa, miscanthus was one of my favorites in the back of one of my berms. I love how it poofs out when brought in the house. I would love to find someone in this area that has miscanthus as I have a large urn that I would like to put some in. Anyone have some they would like to sell?
Thanks so much.
Shari Hastings
My phone # is 612-810-4043.
Thanks