Great Plant Pick: Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’

Published 1:30 am Friday, December 10, 2021

What: Featuring blue-green foliage with white margins, Miscanthus sinensis “Morning Light,” commonly called morning light variegated maiden grass, is a silvery addition to garden borders. Dense seed heads in late summer and early autumn provide movement. A common fault of Miscanthus sinensis is that several of the cultivars splay open as they get older. “Morning Light” does not. This adaptable large-scale grass is easy to grow and handsome.

Where: Morning light looks great combined with Fothergilla gardenii and other larger growing perennials like Thalictrum delavayi “Hewitt’s Double” and gunneras to add a light texture. It can be used in combination with annuals to provide stature and variety of texture. It looks particularly good when planted with large-leaved perennials for contrast. Plant in full sun.

Size: Grows to 5 feet tall by 4 feet wide.

Care: It should be cut to the ground in late winter and requires no other maintenance, other than occasional light watering in summer.