Plant Library

Other Names:  Japanese Silver Grass

Description:

A profusely blooming variety; green leaves with a silver midrib form beautiful clumps; gorgeous burgundy plumes in late summer and fades to cream as they persist into winter, adding tremendous interest; great for massing or large containers

Ornamental Features

Huron Sunrise Maiden Grass has masses of beautiful plumes of burgundy flowers rising above the foliage from late summer to early fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its grassy leaves are green in colour with pointy silver spines. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous tan in the fall. The khaki (brownish-green) stems can be quite attractive.

Landscape Attributes

Huron Sunrise Maiden Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

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.

Huron Sunrise Maiden Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Vertical Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Huron Sunrise Maiden Grass will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity extending to 6 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 3 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 is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. 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.

This plant is not reliably hardy in our region, and certain restrictions may apply; contact the store for more information.