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Miscanthus

Mary AnneMary Anne Posts: 118
in Garden design
Im trying to create a planting design for a section of my garden (Scottish Borders). Attached are 2 photos (1) overall garden (almost) (2) area for planting which is between the dry stone wall and the horizontal path. You can see 3 stipa gigantea towards the right just below the horizontal path which will give you a scale for the planting area. I plan to remove some of the shrubs such as the hebes and replace with large grasses in groups and by repetition. Miscanthus is one of my favourites along with stipa gigantea. 
I would be interested to know some of your favourites and why - (a) miscanthus from this list and (b) any other large grasses (NOT PAMPAS)? 
Miscanthus Kleine Fontane
M. Flamingo
M. Malepartus
M. Silberfeder
M. Ferner Osten
M. Punktchen
M. Kleine Silberspinne
M. Ghana
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Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I'd suggest the obvious variety missing from your list is M.giganteus. 
    They easily reach 2.5 - 3m tall each
    Devon.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    M. Morning light is another not to be omitted. 
    Devon.
  • SamBevingtonSamBevington Posts: 134
    I'm planning a new area of the garden too and ordered some grasses from Crocus today that are in their sale, 50% off for 2lt plants
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    SamBevington said:
    I'm planning a new area of the garden too and ordered some grasses from Crocus today that are in their sale, 50% off for 2lt plants
    do they give mortgage advice too? 
    SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO expensive. ! 

    https://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/miscanthus-sinensis-morning-light/classid.2000012665/

    £8.99 for a 9cm pot !!!
    Devon.
  • Mary AnneMary Anne Posts: 118
    Thanks Sam...I will check them out...what did you order? 
  • Mary AnneMary Anne Posts: 118
    Do you know about this nursery....https://www.knollgardens.co.uk lots to choose from....and quoted in my ref book...Designing with Grasses by Neil Lucas
  • SamBevingtonSamBevington Posts: 134
    Hakonechloa macra and Hak macra Nicolas, Calamagrostis brachytricha. All 2Lt at 8.49
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited January 2021
    I would probably want to restrict the number of varieties by eliminating some that are too similar to the others - go for the best of each 'type'. Other larger grasses to consider, Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' or 'Overdam', Molinia 'Transparent', Panicum 'Squaw' etc.

    Don't forget some giant perennials to go with the grasses as well, Eupatoriums and Persicaria polymorpha.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Miscanthus Ferner Osten - nice, but very short, only about 2ft high. 
    Calamagrostis Karl Foerster - our favourite grass, looks stunning in mass planting
    Calamagrostis brachytrycha - forms a wide dome, so you need lots of space around it (and it self seeds a lot)
    Anemanthele lessoniana - lovely rusty colour, lovely feathery flowers

    They are not grasses, but I would include Opheopogon nigrescens, Carex oshimensis Everillo and Uncinia rubra/uncinata, for dramatic colour.  We have a lovely dwarf Pampas (Cortaderia Splendid Star), which has variegated white/cream foliage, and not the monster that is the standard Pampas.  

    Love your garden, it's like a amphitheatre; do post some photos of it in Summer!
  • Mary AnneMary Anne Posts: 118
    Thanks KeenOnGreen....your suggestions are lovely and will extend my options! Keepsafe.
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